A modular software architecture for UAVs

There have been several attempts to create scalable and hardware independent software architectures for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). In this work, we propose an onboard architecture for UAVs where hardware abstraction, data storage and communication between modules are efficiently maintained. All processing and software development is done on the UAV while state and mission status of the UAV is monitored from a ground station. The architecture also allows rapid development of mission-specific third party applications on the vehicle with the help of the core module

Predictive power of different obesity measures for the presence of diastolic dysfunction

Objective: Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as measures of obesity have some limitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether one measure could predict the presence of diastolic dysfunction (DD) more accurately than the other measures. Methods: A total of 91 obese patients without any other risk factors for DD were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic examination was performed. DD was defined and categorized according to recent guidelines. The study participants were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of DD. Weight, height, and WC were measured; BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated; and a body shape index (ABSI) was calculated as WC/(BMI2/3height1/2). The associations between ABSI, BMI, WHR, and WC and the presence of DD were examined using logistic regression analyses. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the differences. Results: WC and BMI were significantly greater in subjects with DD (p=0.049 and 0.051, respectively). A greater BMI, WC, and WHR increased the risk of the presence of DD (BMI-DD: odds ratio [OR]=1.096, p=0.024; WC-DD: OR=1.059, p=0.007; WHR-DD: OR=2.363, p=0.007). After adjustment for age and sex, only BMI continued to be significantly associated with DD (p=0.031). ABSI was not associated with DD. Conclusion: After adjustment for age and sex, BMI was the only predictor of DD in obesity. Despite its limitations, BMI may still be a potentially more accurate measure of DD compared with other obesity measures. © 2018 Turkish Society of Cardiology

Diffuse Involvement of Aorta in Patient with Familial Hyperlipidemia

Familial hyperlipidemia (FH) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor abnormality. The delayed clearance of serum LDL results in severe hypercholesterolemia, which leads to the accumulation of LDL-derived cholesterol in skin, tendons, and arterial walls.In homozygous form of the disease, severely atheromatous involvement of the aorta extending to the coronary ostia is almost always present, and particular surgical strategy is required to prevent atheroembolic events

Incidence and predictors of radial artery injury following transradial procedures: Yet another benefit of renin–angiotensin system blockade?

Background: Vasodilatory function of radial artery (RA) declines following the transradial catheterization. However, it is uncertain whether impaired vasodilatory function develops in every patient. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and predictive factors of impaired vasodilatory function following transradial procedures. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing elective transradial procedures were prospectively enrolled. Ultrasound examination of RA was recorded just before and 1 week after the procedure. RA diameters and flow velocities were measured at baseline, after flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) and after nitrate mediated vasodilation (NMD). Results: Fifty-one patients were included (62 ± 11 years, 55% male, 41% hypertensive, 20% diabetic, 65% with coronary artery disease). Overall FMD and NMD were significantly impaired after 1 week. However, deterioration of FMD and NMD was observed in 67% and 71% of patients, respectively. Absolute change in FMD was significantly different in patients using a renin– angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor compared to those who were not (1.9 ± 12.9 vs. –7.7 ± ± 12.7%, respectively, p = 0.025). Additionally, there was a moderate but significant correlation between baseline RA diameter and absolute change in NMD (r = 0.419, p < 0.001). RAS blockade was independently associated with protection against FMD deterioration (OR 0.241, 95% CI 0.066–0.883, p = 0.032), whereas RA diameter (OR 0.079, 95% CI 0.009–0.720, p = 0.024) and procedure time (OR 1.156, 95% CI 0.989–1.350, p = 0.068) were associated with NMD deterioration, although the latter had borderline significance. Conclusions: Vasodilatory function of RA gets impaired in most patients following transradial procedures. RAS blockade seems to exert a protective role against deteriorating endothelium- dependent vasodilation, whereas smaller RA diameter and potentially longer procedure time are associated with impaired endothelium-independent vasodilation.

Examining to see elite sight-disabled athletes according to the dimensions of the scale of motivation in sport

Made the purpose of this study is to examine to see disabled athletes according to the dimensions of the scale of motivation in sport. The study group is comprised of 168 visually impaired athletes in total, including 51 females and 117 males, identified by the targeted sampling method, between the ages of 15-25, who do sports at elite level. The Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) was developed by Pelletier (1995) basing on the Theory of Self Determination by Deci and Ryan (1985). The purpose of SMS is to determine the level of "internal motivation, external motivation and nonmotivation” of the person in the sports environment and to identify the source of motivation of the person (Kazak, 2004). Validity and reliability of the scale for Turkish athletes was studied by Kazak (2004).  In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that to know and succeed and to experience stimuli and identification subdimensions are effective in sports attendance of visually impaired athletes engaged in sports at elite level. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that age, education level and sports branch variables have an impact on tendency for sports. It can be concluded that compared to older athletes, younger athletes have low tendency for sports because of anxiety and embarrassment and are not conscious about why they do sports. It has been concluded that athletes of weight lifting and judo, which have contribution to physical development at the top level, believe the nature of their sports branch contributes more to their physical development and their strength is acknowledged and appreciated by other people.// Annotate Highligh

The treatment of acute myocardial infarction due to the occlusion of the left main coronary disease

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to the occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a rare but serious condition in the era of percutaneus coronary intervention (PCI). Even more rare is AMI involved with both LMCA and its branches like trifurcartion or bifurcation: this is challenging for interventional cardiologists, because it involves the extension of the myocardium complicated by cardiogenic shock and its technical difficulties. Trifurcating coronary artery disease is a complex atherosclerotic process involving the origin of one or more of three side branches arising from a left main coronary vessel or trunk, with or without the involvement of LMCA itself. There is no classification or standardized methodology to treat LMCA disease in elective percutaneous intervention procedures. Furthermore, acute myocardial infarction presenting with left main coronary artery trifurcation lesion seems to be more troublesome, especially in young patients. Few series of PCI on significant lesions of the left main trifurcations have been described. Herein, we describe a patient who successfully underwent PCI and was supported by post intravascular ultrasound sonography and multislice computed angiography (MSCA), and after an uneventful follow-up with MSCA is now on the ninth month. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 1: 77-82

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objective:To evaluate overactive bladder (OAB) in male and female patients with moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to investigate the impact of three months of continuous positive airwMethods:Twenty-eight female and 45 male patients with moderate and severe OSAS whose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity was evaluated according to the apnea–hypopnea index were included in the study. Patients’ voiding symptoms were evaluated using the validated Turkish translations of overactive bladder symptom scores (OAB-V8) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form (ICIQ-SF) at OSAS diagnosis and at 3-months after the CPAP therapy.Results:Patients with moderate and severe OSAS were more likely to have OAB than the average population, and CPAP therapy improved the symptoms of OAB in both male and female patients. In addition, a positive association was observed between OSA severity and OAB-V8 and ICIQ-SF in female patients and between OSA severity and OAB-V8 in male patients.Conclusion:Our findings suggest that CPAP therapy improves the clinical symptoms of OAB. Thus, unnecessary medical or interventional treatment of OAB can be avoided in such patients

Examination of the Pandemic Awareness Level and Approach to the Pandemic in Wrestlers

Study aim: Wrestling involves a high risk of transmission in terms of Covid-19 as it is performed using close one-to-one physical contact. This field research study examined wrestlers' approach to and awareness levels of the pandemic. Method: The study sample consists of 214 male wrestlers aged 19.15 ± 1.78 years who participated in the U-23 Turkish National Freestyle Wrestling Championship. The data was collected using a personal information form and the Pandemic Awareness Scale. The statistical analysis consisted of an independent sample t-test, descriptive statistics, and a One-Way ANOVA test for multi-group comparison. Results: Non-smokers and the wrestlers who complied with the precautions had statistically higher awareness score averages (p 0.05) was not found. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that the level of awareness of the pandemic is high among non-smokers and wrestlers who complied with the necessary precautions

Matrix metalloproteinase-9, neuron-specific enolase, S100 B and tau protein levels in the patients with carbon monoxide poisoning

Background: S100B, NSE, MMP-9, and Tau protein levels increase in cases causing hypoxic cell damage. The diagnosis of the severity of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the early period of these parameters was studied. Material and Methods: COHb level measurement was made using a signal capture CO-pulse oximeter (Masimo's SET Rainbow, Masimo's Co, USA) at the first admission of the patients. Then, COHb levels were confirmed by arterial blood gas(ABG) analysis. The patients were divided into two groups as mild and moderate-severe, according to their Glasgow coma scores (GCS) [Mild (14–15); Moderate (9–13) or Severe (3–8)]. The control group was composed of 16 healthy and non-smoking volunteers. Results: The serum S100B protein and MMP-9 values at 0 hr of admission in the hospital and 3hr of treatment were not significantly different in the patient group as compared to the control group. Tau protein levels were significantly higher in the patient group at 0 and 3 hours (p> 0.05) as compared to healthy person. Conclusion: There was no relationship between CO poisoning and MMP-9 and S100B protein levels. NSE and Tau protein were significantly higher in the patient group than the control group. Tau protein may be more useful marker as compared to neuron-specific enolase.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Uni

Mediolateral Postural Sway Velocity as a Possible Indicator of Ground Reaction Force-Derived 180⁰ Turn Performance in Male Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

The main aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between ground reaction force (GRF) derived postural sway and 180° turn performance in soccer players on the axis of dominant and non-dominant legs. Twenty-seven male soccer players (mean age 22.45 ± 2.7 years) from the same league level agreed to participate in the study. The participants underwent GRF-derived postural sway and 180⁰ turn tests using a force plate in separate sessions, with at least 24-hour intervals between sessions. Postural sway was assessed in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions during a single-leg stance, while the 180° turn performance was evaluated through GRF-derived turn time and turn sway. The correlation, multiple regression, and group differences were computed to test study hypotheses. Positive correlations were observed between postural sway measures and 180⁰ turn time for dominant and non-dominant legs (r-range from 0.384 to 0.550). No measure of postural sway was significantly related to the 180⁰ turn sway (p> 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that mediolateral sway velocity explained 30% and 17% of the variance of 180⁰ turn time for dominant and non-dominant legs, respectively. No statistical inter-limb differences were noted for 180⁰ turn and postural sway parameters. The results suggest that improving single-leg postural performance may enhance male soccer players' 180° turn performance. Therefore, unilateral stability in the mediolateral direction should be considered a potential indicator of change of direction-based performances