Assessment of material use in relation to climate in historical buildings

Climate is among the most significant factors on the environmental performance, life span and/or durability of construction materials in buildings. Although some historical buildings have been abandoned and neglected for a very long period, their existence through centuries can be explained because of their durability to climatic conditions of the area where they are situated. In this study, construction techniques and characteristics of building materials used in some madrasas (historical education buildings) in Western Anatolia (Turkey) were examined in order to evaluate the conditions of the buildings by taking into account climatic conditions of the region. The studied Western Anatolian madrasas, which are in the moderate climatic conditions, were constructed out of rubble stone, brick and mortar in random bond with local workmanship by local builders who continued the older traditions and have survived for more than 300 years without maintenance and repair. On the other hand, most of the madrasa buildings in Central and Eastern Anatolia, which are in the steppe climatic conditions, were differently constructed with cut stone on their exterior surfaces to prevent the main structures of the walls composed of rubble stone and mortar from harsh climatic conditions of these regions. This study indicated that construction techniques and building materials appropriate to the climate might have been intentionally chosen for the survival of historical buildings over the centuries.TÜBİTAK (İÇTAG—I304

Performance Improvement for Fighter Aircraft Using Fuzzy Switching LQI Controller

In this work, a switching linear quadratic integral (LQI) controller based on fuzzy logic is designed for the load-factor tracking problem of high-performance aircraft referred to as the Aero-Data Model in Research Environment (ADMIRE). ADMIRE is a new generation aircraft and has a wide flight operation envelope in terms of altitude and speed. Hence, it is difficult to design a flight controller to achieve a high tracking performance. First, the LQI controller is selected due to good tracking performance and robustness in the model dynamics. Combining switching LQI controller and fuzzy logic improves the transient performance of the closed-loop switched system. The results obtained with the fuzzy switching controller have been compared with the conventional LQI and the switching LQI in terms of robust demand tracking. The simulation results have demonstrated that the fuzzy switching controller is superior to the conventional LQI and switching LQI controllers due to better transient performance and robust stability

Circulation levels of acute phase proteins pentraxin 3 and serum amyloid A in atherosclerosis have correlations with periodontal inflamed surface area

Objectives: One of the plausible mechanisms in the relationship between periodontitis and coronary artery disease (CAD) is the systemic inflammatory burden comprised of circulating cytokines/mediators related to periodontitis. This study aims to test the hypothesis that periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) is correlated with higher circulating levels of acute phase reactants (APR) and pro-inflammatory cytokines/mediators and lower anti-inflammatory cytokines/mediators in CAD patients. Material and Methods: Patients aged from 30 to 75 years who underwent coronary angiography with CAD suspicion were included. Clinical periodontal parameters (probing depth - PD, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing - BOP) were previously recorded and participants were divided into four groups after coronary angiography: Group 1: CAD (+) with periodontitis (n=20); Group 2: CAD (+) without periodontitis (n=20); Group 3: CAD (-) with periodontitis (n=21); Group 4: CAD (-) without periodontitis (n = 16). Serum interleukin (IL) −1, −6, −10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, serum amyloid A (SAA), pentraxin (PTX) 3, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured with ELISA. Results: Groups 1 and 3 showed periodontal parameter values higher than Groups 2 and 4 (p<0.0125). None of the investigated serum parameters were statistically significantly different between the study groups (p>0.0125). In CAD (-) groups (Groups 3 and 4), PISA has shown positive correlations with PTX3 and SAA (p<0.05). Age was found to predict CAD significantly according to the results of the multivariate regression analysis (Odds Ratio: 1.17; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.08-1.27; p<0.001). Conclusions: Although age was found to predict CAD significantly, the positive correlations between PISA and APR in CAD (-) groups deserve further attention, which might depend on the higher PISA values of periodontitis patients. In further studies conducted in a larger population, the stratification of age groups would provide us more accurate results

Relationship between second trimester uterina artery doppler ultrasonography and poor pregnancy prognosis in low risk Turkish population

AMAÇ: Düşük riskli Türk populasyonunda preeklampsi, intrauterin gelisim kısıtlılığı, erken doğum gelişebilecek gebeliklerin önceden saptanmasında uterin arter spektral Doppler ultrasonografisinin etkinliğini araştırmak. GEREÇ ve YÖNTEM: Araştırmaya 2000 - 2003 tarihleri arasında antenatal polikliniğe basvuran,18-22. haftaları arasında rutin fetal biyometri, ayrıntılı organ taraması ve bilateral uterin arter spektral Doppler uygulanan 1029 adet gebe dahil edildi. Çoğul gebelikler ve fetal anomali saptanan hastalar araştırma kapsamına alınmadı. Doğum sonrası hastalar telefon ile aranarak, gebelik seyri ve sonucu ile ilgili veriler standart bir telefon röportaj formu yardımı ile alındı. Bilateral Uterin arterlerin PI değerleri z-skorları, hesaplanarak normal grup ile intrauterin gelişim kısıtlılığı, preeklampsi, erken doğum gruplarındaki ortalama PI-z skor farklılıkları irdelendi. ROC eğrileri yardımı ile her bir kötü prognoz için optimum esik değerler ve bu değerlere göre Doppler uygulamalarının öngörüdeki tanısal belirleyiciliği saptandı. Uterin arterler için çentikleşme sıklıkları da belirlenerek kötü prognoz öngörüsündeki tanısal belirleyicilikleri incelendi. BULGULAR: Kırküç kadında (%4,2) preeklampsi, 62 kadında (%6,1) <5 persantil dogum(IUGG), 214 kadında (%20,8) 37 hafta altı dogum, 6 kadında (%0,6) intrauterin ölüm, 36 kadında (%3,5) neonatal ölüm görüldü. Uterin arter pulsatilite indeksi Z skoru ortalama degerleri preeklampsi, IUGG, erken dogum olgularında sırasıyla: 0.53, 0.55, 0.14 idi. Uterin arter PI degeri z skoru optimum esik degerleri preeklampsi, IUGG, erken dogum için sırasıyla 0.12, 0.59 ve 1.58 olarak bulundu. Bu esik degerlerde uterin arter z skorunun duyarlık, özgüllük, pozitif ve negatif belirleyici değerleri preeklampsi için 0.44, 0.76, 0.07, 0.97; IUGG için 0.22, 0.83, 0.07, 0.95; erken dogum için 0.09, 0.93, 0.24, 0.79. Bilateral uterin arterde prediastolik çentik preeklampsi, intrauterin gelisim geriligi gruplarında yüksek oranda saptandı (p<0,05). Erken doğum grubunda farklılık izlenmedi. Prediastolik çentik için, duyarlık, özgüllük, pozitif ve negatif belirleyici değerleri sırasıyla preeklampsi için 0.25, 0.83, 0.05, 0.87 intrauterin gelişme geriliği için 0.31, 0.86, 0.23, 0.82 idi. SONUÇ: Düşük riskli Türk populasyonda uterin arter Doppler ultrasonografisinin kötü obstetrik prognoz öngörüsünde katkısı vardır.OBJECTIVE: The aim of study is to evaluate the efficacy of uterin arter Doppler ultrasonography to predict preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and premature birth in low riskTurkish population MATERIALS and METHODS: 1029 women who were admitted to antenatal clinic and fetal biometry, second trimester anomaly scanning and bilateral uterine artery spectral Doppler performed were included in this study. Multiple pregnancies and fetal anomalies were excluded. Outcome of pregnancy-related data obtained by the help of a standard telephone interview form. Bilateral uterine artery z-scores of the PI values calculated and differences in the average PI-z scores between control group and separately <5 persantile birth, preeclampsia, premature birth group evaluated. With the help of ROC curves for each poor prognosis, the optimal threshold values were determined and according to these values diagnostic predictions of Doppler application were revealed. The frequencies of uterine artery notch were determined and diagnostic values for prediction of poor prognosis were identified. RESULTS: In women; 43 (4%) preeklampsia, 62 (6.1%) <5 persantile birth (IUGR), 214 (20,8%) <37 weeks birth, 6 (0.6%) intrauterine death, 36 (3.5%) neonatal deaths were seen. Uterine artery pulsatility index (UAPI) Z score mean values of preeclampsia, IUGR, premature birth were 0.53, 0.55, 0.14, respectively.UAPI - z scores of the optimum threshold values for preeclampsia, IUGR, premature birth were 0.12, 0:59 and 1:58, respectively. In these threshold of z scores in the uterine artery, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPD) and negative predictive value (NPD) for preeclampsia were 0.44, 0.76, 0.07, 0.97; for IUGR 0.22, 0.83, 0.07, 0.95 and for premature birth 0.09, 0.93, 0.24, 0.79, respectively. Bilateral uterine artery diastolic notches revealed a high percentage in preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation group(p<0,05). In the preterm group no difference was seen. For prediastolic notch sensitivity, specificity, PPD and NPD in pre-eclampsia, respectively, 0.25, 0.83, 0.05, 0.87; inIUGR0.31, 0.86, 0.23, 0.82. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery Doppler ultrasound might contribute to the prediction of poor obstetric prognosis in low riskTurkish population

Analysis of alpha-actinin-3 r577x polymorphism in Turkish professional football players

İnsan genom projesinin tamamlanmasıyla genlerin atletik performans üzerine de etkisinin olduğu kabul edilmekle birlikte, genlerin atletik performans üzerine etkisi hala araştırma konusudur. Günümüze kadar atletik performansa etki ettiği düşünülen genetik bölgeler futbol, basketbol, judo, güreş gibi farklı disiplinlerdeki sporcular üzerinde birçok çalışma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ancak Türk sporcular üzerinde yapılan bu çalışmalar literatür ile karşılaştırıldığında sayıları daha az olduğu görülmektedir. ACTN3 geni atletik performans ile ilgili en önemli ve günümüzde belki de en fazla incelenen genetik belirteçtir. Bu çalışmamızda aktif olarak futbol hayatlarını sürdürmekte olan 40 profesyonel futbolcuda ACTN3 R577X polimorfizminin genotipik ve allelik dağılımlarını belirlemeyi amaçladık. Futbolculardan DNA eldesi, rutin olarak biyokimyasal kontrolleri için verdikleri periferal kandan sağlanmış, DNA izolasyonları ticari kitler ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Genotiplendirme işlemi ise gerçek zamanlı PCR (Real- time PCR) tekniği ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. ACTN3 genotipi için futbolcuların 19’u RR (%47.5), 15’i RX (%37.5), 6’sı XX (%15) genotipindedir. ACTN3 polimorfizmin futbolcularda ki allelik dağılımları ise %66.25 R allel, %33.75 X alleli olarak bulunmuştur. Çalışma kohortumuzda patlayıcı güç fenotipi ile ilişkili olan ACTN3 RR genotipinin ve R allelinin daha baskın olduğu görü lmü ştü r. Türk futbolcular üzerinde gerçekleştirilen bu çalışma ile hem literatüre katkı sağlayacağının, hem de elde edilen sonuçlar sayesinde ileride yapılacak çalışmalara öncülük edeceğinin inancındayız.nsan genom projesinin tamamlanmasıyla genlerin atletik performans üzerine de etkisinin olduğu kabul edilmekle birlikte, genlerin atletik performans üzerine etkisi hala araştırma konusudur. Günümüze kadar atletik performansa etki ettiği düşünülen genetik bölgeler futbol, basketbol, judo, güreş gibi farklı disiplinlerdeki sporcular üzerinde birçok çalışma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ancak Türk sporcular üzerinde yapılan bu çalışmalar literatür ile karşılaştırıldığında sayıları daha az olduğu görülmektedir. ACTN3 geni atletik performans ile ilgili en önemli ve günümüzde belki de en fazla incelenen genetik belirteçtir. Bu çalışmamızda aktif olarak futbol hayatlarını sürdürmekte olan 40 profesyonel futbolcuda ACTN3 R577X polimorfizminin genotipik ve allelik dağılımlarını belirlemeyi amaçladık. Futbolculardan DNA eldesi, rutin olarak biyokimyasal kontrolleri için verdikleri periferal kandan sağlanmış, DNA izolasyonları ticari kitler ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Genotiplendirme işlemi ise gerçek zamanlı PCR (Real- time PCR) tekniği ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. ACTN3 genotipi için futbolcuların 19’u RR (%47.5), 15’i RX (%37.5), 6’sı XX (%15) genotipindedir. ACTN3 polimorfizmin futbolcularda ki allelik dağılımları ise %66.25 R allel, %33.75 X alleli olarak bulunmuştur. Çalışma kohortumuzda patlayıcı güç fenotipi ile ilişkili olan ACTN3 RR genotipinin ve R allelinin daha baskın olduğu görülmüştür. Türk futbolcular üzerinde gerçekleştirilen bu çalışma ile hem literatüre katkı sağlayacağının, hem de elde edilen sonuçlar sayesinde ileride yapılacak çalışmalara öncülük edeceğinin inancındayız

Human inbreeding has decreased in time through the Holocene

The history of human inbreeding is controversial. In particular, how the development of sedentary and/or agricultural societies may have influenced overall inbreeding levels is unclear. Here we present an approach for reliable estimation of runs of homozygosity (ROH) in genomes with ≥3x mean sequence coverage across >1 million SNPs, and apply this to 411 ancient Eurasian genomes from the last 15,000 years. We show that the frequency of inbreeding, as measured by ROH, has decreased over time. The strongest effect is associated with the Neolithic transition, but the trend has since continued, indicating a population size effect on inbreeding prevalence. We further show that most inbreeding in our historical sample can be attributed to small population size instead of consanguinity. We observed singular cases of high consanguinity only among members of farming societies

A genomic snapshot of demographic and cultural dynamism in Upper Mesopotamia during the Neolithic Transition

Upper Mesopotamia played a key role in the Neolithic Transition in Southwest Asia through marked innovations in symbolism, technology, and foodways. We present thirteen ancient genomes (c.8500-7500 calBCE) from Pre-Pottery Neolithic Çayönü in the Tigris basin together with bioarchaeological and material culture data. Our findings reveal that Çayönü was a genetically diverse population, carrying a mixed ancestry from western and eastern Fertile Crescent, and that the community received immigrants. Our results further suggest that the community was organised along biological family lines. We document bodily interventions such as head-shaping and cauterization among the individuals examined, reflecting Çayönü's cultural ingenuity. Finally, we identify Upper Mesopotamia as the likely source of eastern gene flow into Neolithic Anatolia, in line with material culture evidence. We hypothesise that Upper Mesopotamia's cultural dynamism during the Neolithic Transition was the product not only of its fertile lands but also of its interregional demographic connections

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in human mobility patterns in Holocene Southwest Asia and the East Mediterranean

We present a spatiotemporal picture of human genetic diversity in Anatolia, Iran, Levant, South Caucasus, and the Aegean, a broad region that experienced the earliest Neolithic transition and the emergence of complex hierarchical societies. Combining 35 new ancient shotgun genomes with 382 ancient and 23 present-day published genomes, we found that genetic diversity within each region steadily increased through the Holocene. We further observed that the inferred sources of gene flow shifted in time. In the first half of the Holocene, Southwest Asian and the East Mediterranean populations homogenized among themselves. Starting with the Bronze Age, however, regional populations diverged from each other, most likely driven by gene flow from external sources, which we term “the expanding mobility model.” Interestingly, this increase in inter-regional divergence can be captured by outgroup-f$_3$-based genetic distances, but not by the commonly used F$_{ST}$ statistic, due to the sensitivity of F$_{ST}$, but not outgroup-f$_3$, to within-population diversity. Finally, we report a temporal trend of increasing male bias in admixture events through the Holocene