Effects of hydraulics structures on dissolved oxygen concentration: A case study from the stream Harsit, Eastern Black Sea Basin, Turkey

A sufficient supply of dissolved oxygen (DO) is vital for all higher aquatic life. The problems associated with low concentrations of DO in rivers have been recognized for over a century. The impacts of low DO concentrations or, at the extreme, anaerobic conditions in a normally well oxygenated river system, are an unbalanced ecosystem with fish mortality, odors and other aesthetic nuisances. The primary aim of this study is to determine the spatial and temporal variation of four physicochemical variables including DO concentration, water temperature (T), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in the stream Harsit, Eastern Black Sea Basin, Turkey. For this reason, a study was fortnightly conducted during the four seasons between March 2009 and February 2010 in five monitoring stations. The obtained data are evaluated according to Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation (TWPCR), and also it is focused on the effects of hydraulics structures, namely Torul CFRD & HEPP, Kurtun CFRD & HEPP, and Dogankent HEPP, and the sandgravel mining activities on the studied variables. It was concluded that the stream Harsit has high-quality water according to the TWPCR in terms of DO, T and pH. Torul Dam generated a decrease with 13.18 % in the concentration value, and the minimum DO value with 9.23 mg/L was determined in the station after Torul CFRD and HEPP. However, Kurtun Dam increased the DO as 23.22 %, and the maximum DO value with 11.38 mg/L was obtained in the station after Kurtun CFRD & HEPP. Any negative effect from sand-gravel mining activities between the last two stations on the monitored variables was not observed

PMN-PT [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3] ESASLI SERAMİKLERDE KOMPOZİSYONUN YAPISAL VE ELEKTRİKSEL ÖZELLİKLERE ETKİSİ

Polycrystalline samples of (1-x)PMN-xPT [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3]  (x=0.30 to 0.39) piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized via a solid-state reaction route. Based on the previous literature, 5% mol excess MgO was used in order to eliminate the formation of unwanted pyrochlore phase. Microstructural and compositional analyses have been carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Besides, electrical characterization was performed by using impedance analyzer and Berlincourt d33-piezometer. Formation of the pyrochlore phase was eliminated significantly by using excess MgO and one-step calcination method. XRD patterns indicated a transition from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase with increasing PT content. Effect of altering PMN-PT composition on the piezoelectric and dielectric properties was also investigated. The results showed that the rhombohedral and tetragonal phases coexisted at 0.30x0.39 and the ceramic with x=0.33 possessed the optimum properties (d33=480 pC/N, KT=4555.5, kp=0.505, tanδ=2.9%, Qm=59.6, Tc=150 °C).Bu çalışmada, çok kristalli (1-x)PMN-xPT [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3]  (x=0,30-0,39) piezoelektrik seramikleri katı-hal reaksiyon yöntemi kullanılarak üretilmiştir. Üretim aşamasında istenilmeyen piroklor fazının oluşumunu engellemek için literatür çalışmalarından faydalanılarak %5 mol ekstra MgO tozu kullanılmıştır. Mikroyapı ve kompozisyon analizleri; taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) ve X-ışınları kırınımı (XRD) ile,  elektriksel karakterizasyon ise empendans analizörü ve Berlincourt d33-piezometre kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ekstra MgO ve tek kalsinasyon adımı kullanılarak piroklor faz oluşumunun büyük oranda engellendiği görülmüştür. XRD sonuçları PT miktarının artışı ile birlikte rombohedral fazdan tetragonal faza bir dönüşüm olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, değişen PMN-PT kompozisyonunun dielektrik ve piezoelektrik özellikler üzerindeki etkisi de incelenmiştir. Deneysel sonuçlar, 0,30x0,39 kompozisyon aralığında rombohedral ve tetragonal fazların bir arada olduğunu ve x=0,33 kompozisyonunun optimum elektriksel özellikler (d33=480 pC/N, KT=4555,5, kp=0,505, tanδ=%2,9, Qm=59,6, Tc=150 °C) sergilediğini göstermiştir

Cruzamento natural e distância de isolamento entre genótipos de algodão na turquia

The purposes of this study were to determine the percentage of out-crossing, isolation distance and pollinator insect species for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seed production in the Aydin region in Turkey. The glandless and red-leaf traits in G. hirsutum were used as genetic markers. Two experiments were conducted over two years that monitored out-crossing in adjacent rows and adjacent plants and established that the percentage of out-crossing varied. The percentage of out-crossing varied between 0% and 13.3% depending on the genetic marker. In the experiment to determine isolation distance, natural crossing percentage was not observed in 2002, while this percentage was 0.8% in the first rows in 2003. In this study, cotton fields were also visited once a week during flowering periods for seven weeks in order to determine the numbers of pollinator insect species, where the only detected species was the honey bee. The numbers of pollinator insects were 2.14% (2002) and 1.30% (2003) for adjacent rows; 1.71% (2002) and 2.00% (2003) for adjacent plants in glandless parcels. It is recommended that the isolation distance between genotypes should be approximately 1 m.Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a percentagem de cruzamentos livres, a distância de isolamento e as espécies de insetos polinizadores na produção de sementes de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L.) na região de Aydin, na Turquia. Foram utilizadas as características ausência de glândulas e folhas vermelhas como marcadores de G. hirsutum. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos durante dois anos, nos quais os cruzamentos livres em linhas e plantas adjacentes foram monitorados, tendo sido comprovada uma variação na percentagem de cruzamentos livres que variou entre 0 e 13,3% dependendo do marcador genético. No experimento de determinação da distância de isolamento, não se observou cruzamento natural em 2002, mas em 2003 sua percentagem foi de 0,8%, apenas nas primeiras linhas. Neste estudo, os campos de algodão foram visitados uma vez por semana, por sete semanas, para determinar o número de espécies de insetos polinizadores, tendo sido encontradas abelhas produtoras de mel. O número encontrado foi de 2,14% (2002) e 1,30% (2003) para linhas adjacentes; 1,71% (2002) e 2,00% (2003) para plantas em parcelas com ausência de glândulas. É recomendado que a distância de isolamento entre genótipos deva ser de aproximadamente 1 m

Prevention of Pleural Adhesions Using a Membrane Containing Polyethylene Glycol in Rats

Background: Recurrent thoracotomies regardless of the cause are not a rare occurrence. However, each thoracotomy results in adhesion to some extent. This adhesions increase morbidity and mortality presents a significant inconvenience for surgeons and prolongs the length of operations

A variable-fractional order admittance controller for pHRI

In today’s automation driven manufacturing environments, emerging technologies like cobots (collaborative robots) and augmented reality interfaces can help integrating humans into the production workflow to benefit from their adaptability and cognitive skills. In such settings, humans are expected to work with robots side by side and physically interact with them. However, the trade-off between stability and transparency is a core challenge in the presence of physical human robot interaction (pHRI). While stability is of utmost importance for safety, transparency is required for fully exploiting the precision and ability of robots in handling labor intensive tasks. In this work, we propose a new variable admittance controller based on fractional order control to handle this trade-off more effectively. We compared the performance of fractional order variable admittance controller with a classical admittance controller with fixed parameters as a baseline and an integer order variable admittance controller during a realistic drilling task. Our comparisons indicate that the proposed controller led to a more transparent interaction compared to the other controllers without sacrificing the stability. We also demonstrate a use case for an augmented reality (AR) headset which can augment human sensory capabilities for reaching a certain drilling depth otherwise not possible without changing the role of the robot as the decision maker

A pilot study for genome wide association study (GWAS) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents

PubMe

EVALUATION OF THE ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES OF THE FAMILY PHYSICIANS AND SPECIALISTS RELATING TO PROVIDED TREATMENTS IN TERMS OF RATIONAL USE OF MEDICINE

Introduction: Physicians’ perspectives are essential for rational use of medicine (RUM) activities. This study aimed at evaluation of physicians’ attitudes and experiences about therapeutical management process in terms of RUM in primary and secondary care. Methods: A survey was applied to 1062 family physicians (FP) and 562 specialist physicians (SP) in Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of items assessing physicians’ RUM approaches, stratified by their demographic and occupational characteristics. Results: A total of 55.4% of FPs and 32.1% of SPs declared that they prescribed to “>80% of their patientsâ€. The attitude of “no prescribing without physical examination†was more in females, in seniors, and in those with longer professional experiences in SP group (p<0.05), where no difference was found among FPs. More markedly in FPs, women provided more information than men about their patients’ diseases and pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatments. Most commonly demanded drugs by patients were “analgesics/antirheumaticsâ€, “cold-medicationsâ€, and “antibioticsâ€. Conclusion: Physicians’ statements showed that patients had an underestimated tendency to demand specific drug prescriptions and physicians met such demands more than expected. Moreover, female physicians are more likely to inform their patients about pharmacotherapy details in both groups. These findings may be considered as beneficial for RUM dissemination activities. Key words: physicians, rational drug use, primary health care, hospitals, prescribingÂ

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication