On the minimum distance of algebraic geometry codes

In the literature about algebraic geometry codes one finds a lot of results improving Goppa's minimum distance bound. These improvements often use the idea of "shrinking" or "growing" the defining divisors of the codes under certain technical conditions. The main contribution of this thesis is to show that most of these improvements can be obtained in a unified way from one theorem. Our results do not only simplify previous results but they also improve them further

Normal and optimal normal bases in finite fields

Arithmetic operations in finite fields have many applications in cryptography, coding theory, and computer algebra. The realization of these operations can often be made more efficient by the normal basis representation of the field elements. This thesis is aimed at giving a survey of recent results concerning normal bases and efficient ways of multiplication, inversion, and exponentiation when the normal basis representation is used

Further improvements on the designed minimum distance of algebraic geometry codes

In the literature about algebraic geometry codes one finds a lot of results improving Goppa’s minimum distance bound. These improvements often use the idea of “shrinking” or “growing” the defining divisors of the codes under certain technical conditions. The main contribution of this article is to show that most of these improvements can be obtained in a unified way from one (rather simple) theorem. Our result does not only simplify previous results but it also improves them further

Outcomes of high-risk breast lesions diagnosed using image-guided core needle biopsy: results from a multicenter retrospective study

PURPOSEThe clinical management of high-risk lesions using image-guided biopsy is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the rates at which such lesions were upgraded to malignancy and identify possible predictive factors for upgrading high-risk lesions.METHODSThis retrospective multicenter analysis included 1.343 patients diagnosed with high-risk lesions using an image-guided core needle or vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). Only patients managed using an excisional biopsy or with at least one year of documented radiological follow-up were included. For each, the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category, number of samples, needle thickness, and lesion size were correlated with malignancy upgrade rates in different histologic subtypes. Pearson’s chi-squared test, the Fisher–Freeman–Halton test, and Fisher’s exact test were used for the statistical analyses.RESULTSThe overall upgrade rate was 20.6%, with the highest rates in the subtypes of intraductal papilloma (IP) with atypia (44.7%; 55/123), followed by atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (38.4%; 144/375), lobular neoplasia (LN) (12.7%; 7/55), papilloma without atypia (9.4%; 58/611), flat epithelial atypia (FEA) (8.7%; 10/114), and radial scars (RSs) (4.6%; 3/65). There was a significant relationship between the upgrade rate and BI-RADS category, number of samples, and lesion size Lesion size was the most predictive factor for an upgrade in all subtypes.CONCLUSIONADH and atypical IP showed considerable upgrade rates to malignancy, requiring surgical excision. The LN, IP without atypia, pure FEA, and RS subtypes showed lower malignancy rates when the BI-RADS category was lower and in smaller lesions that had been adequately sampled using VAB. After being discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting, these cases could be managed with follow-up instead of excision

Changes in the chemical composition of an acidic soil treated with marble quarry and marble cutting wastes

Soil acidity greatly affects the availability of plant nutrients. The level of soil acidity can be adjusted by treating the soil with certain additives. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of marble quarry waste (MQW) and marble cutting waste (MCW) on the chemical composition and the acidity of a soil. Marble wastes at different rates were applied to an acid soil. Their effectiveness in neutralizing the soil pH was compared with that of agricultural lime. The changes in the chemical composition of the soil were also evaluated with column test at the end of a 75-day incubation period. The results indicated that the MQW and MCW applications significantly increased the soil pH (from 4.71 up to 6.54), the CaCO3 content (from 0.33% up to 0.75%), and the exchangeable Ca (from 14.79 cmol kg(-1) up to 21.18 cmol kg(-1)) and Na (from 0.57 cmol kg(-1) up to 1.07 cmol kg(-1)) contents, but decreased the exchangeable K (from 0.46 cmol kg(-1) down to 0.28 cmol kg(-1)), the plant-available P (from 25.56 mg L-1 down to 16.62 mg L-1), and the extractable Fe (from 259.43 mg L-1 down to 55.4 mg L-1), Cu (from 1.97 mg L-1 down to 1.42 mg L-1), Mn (from 17.89 mg L-1 down to 4.61 mg L-1) and Zn (from 7.88 mg L-1 down to 1.56 mg L-1) contents. In addition, the Cd (from 0.060 mg L-1 down to 0.046 mg L-1), Ni (from 0.337 mg L-1 down to 0.092 mg L-1) and Pb (from 28.00 mg L-1 down to 20.08 mg L-1) concentrations decreased upon the treatment of the soil with marble wastes

Using marble wastes as a soil amendment for acidic soil neutralization

One of the most important factors limiting plant growth is soil pH. The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of marble waste applications on neutralization of soil acidity. Marble quarry waste (MQW) and marble cutting waste (MCW) were applied to an acid soil at different rates and their effectiveness on neutralization was evaluated,by a laboratory incubation test. The results showed that soil pH increased from 4.71 to 6.36 and 6.84 by applications of MCW and MQW, respectively. It was suggested that MQW and MCW could be used as soil amendments for the neutralization of acid soils and thus the negative impact of marble wastes on the environment could be reduced

Morphological and chemical diversity among hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) genotypes from Turkey

Anatolia had been known to have rich hawthorn gene pool including diverse genotypes adapted to different local conditions in different regions of the country. Long-term seed propagation and also human selection revealed a great diversity of hawthorn plants in Anatolia. In this study, the morphological (fruit weight, dimensions, fruit skin color, flesh/seed ratio, plant habits and thorn situation) and chemical (pH and soluble solid content) characteristics of 21 selected hawthorn genotypes belongs to Crataegus monogyna ssp. monogyna Jacq, Crataegus monogyna ssp. azarella Jacq, Crataegus pontica K. Koch, Crataegus orientalis var. orientalis Pallas Ex Bieb, Crataegus pseudoheterophylla Pojark, Crataegus meyeri Pojark, Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz, Crataegus aronia var. aronia Browicz, C. x bornmuelleri Zabel and Crataegus aronia L. had been determined. A wide variation was found among genotypes in both intra and inters level on most of morphological and chemical properties. Fruit weight varied from 0.65 to 4.19 g among genotypes. Fruit skin color were determined as light green, yellow, light orange, orange, red and dark red. SSC (soluble solid content) of genotypes ranging from 6.40 to 16.0%. In general, most of the genotypes had tree form and also had various degree of thorn on its plants

The cost of care of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients in tertiary care rheumatology units in Turkey

Objectives: To determine the direct and indirect costs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in Turkey. Methods: An expert panel was convened to estimate the direct and indirect costs of care of patients with RA and AS in Turkey. The panel was composed of 22 experts chosen from all national tertiary care rheumatology units (n=53). To calculate direct costs, the medical management of RA and AS patients was estimated using "cost-of-illness" methodology. To measure indirect costs, the number of days of sick leave, the extent of disability, and the levels of early retirement and early death were also evaluated. Lost productivity costs were calculated using the "human capital approach", based on the minimum wage. Results: The total annual direct costs were 2,917.03 Euros per RA patient and 3,565.9 Euros for each AS patient. The direct costs were thus substantial, but the indirect costs were much higher because of extensive morbidity and mortality rates. The total annual indirect costs were 7,058.99 Euros per RA patient and 6,989.81 for each AS patient. Thus, the total cost for each RA patient was 9,976.01 Euros and that for an AS patient 10,555.72 Euros, in Turkey. Conclusion: From the societal perspective, both RA and AS have become burden in Turkey. The cost of lost productivity is higher than the medical cost. Another important conclusion is that indirect costs constitute 70% and 66% of total costs in patients with RA and AS, respectively.Abbott Compan