Automatic Ranking of Retrieval Systems in Imperfect Environments

The empirical investigation of the effectiveness of information retrieval (IR) systems requires a test collection, a set of query topics, and a set of relevance judgments made by human assessors for each query. Previous experiments show that differences in human relevance assessments do not affect the relative performance of retrieval systems. Based on this observation, we propose and evaluate a new approach to replace the human relevance judgments by an automatic method. Ranking of retrieval systems with our methodology correlates positively and significantly with that of human-based evaluations. In the experiments, we assume a Web-like imperfect environment: the indexing information for all documents is available for ranking, but some documents may not be available for retrieval. Such conditions can be due to document deletions or network problems. Our method of simulating imperfect environments can be used for Web search engine assessment and in estimating the effects of network conditions (e.g., network unreliability) on IR system performance

Histopathological Features of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and the Contribution of DOG1 Expression to the Diagnosis

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) have KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor ? (PDGFR?) mutations affecting receptor tyrosine ki-nase activity and do not benefit from classic treatment regimens.Aims: The aim of this study was to review the al-gorithm that may be followed for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis in GISTs by investigating the histomorphological parameters and expression charac-teristics of classical immunohistochemical antibodies used in routine tests in addition to DOG1 expression.Study Design: Diagnostic accuracy study.Methods: We reevaluated the histological and immu-nohistochemical parameters of 37 GISTs. The standard immunohistochemical diagnosis and differential diag-nosis panel antibodies (CD117, PDGFR?, CD34, vi-mentin, desmin, SMA, S-100, and Ki67) were studied on the tumor sections. We also used the popular marker DOG1 antibody with accepted sensitivity for GISTs in recent years and the PDGFR? immune marker for which the benefit in routine practice is discussed.Results: Classification according to progressive dis-ease risk groups of the 37 cases revealed that 54% were in the high risk, 19% in the moderate risk, 16% in the low risk, 8% in the very low risk and 8% in the no risk group.Cytological atypia, necrosis, mucosal invasion and the Ki67 index were found to be related to the progressive disease risk groups of the tumors (p<0.05).Positive immunoreaction was observed with CD117 and PDGFR? in all GISTs in the study (100%). Posi-tivity with the DOG1 antibody was found in 33 (89%) cases. CD34 was positive in 62% (23) of the cases.Conclusion: The CD117 antibody still plays a key role in GIST diagnosis. However, the use of DOG1 and PDGFR? antibodies combined with CD117 as sensitive markers can be beneficia

Sürücülü Kendi Kendini Dengeleyen Bir Robotun Bulanık Mantıklı PID Kontrolü

Endüstri ve tıp alanında, kendi kendini dengeleyen robotlar hakkında tüm dünyada yapılan çalışmalar son yıllarda hız kazanmıştır. Bu tip robotların kullanım alanının genişlemesiyle birlikte karşılaşılan en büyük sorunun, robotların kontrol mekanizmaları olduğu anlaşılmaktadır. Yapıları gereği kontrol edilmesi zor olan bu robotlar için literatürde çok sayıda çalışma bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmalar incelendiğinde klasik kontrol metotlarının, bu tip robotları kontrol etmekte yetersiz kaldığı görülmektedir. Fakat klasik kontrolcüler kullanılarak geliştirilen yeni nesil karma kontrol metotlarının robotlara uygulanmasıyla birlikte robotların istenilen hareketleri daha hızlı ve kararlı bir şekilde gerçekleştirdiği gözlemlenmektedir. Bu nedenle, klasik kontrol metotlarından PID kontrolcü parametrelerinin, bulanık mantıklı kontrol metodu ile belirlenerek oluşturulan karma bir kontrol metodu bu çalışmada önerilmekte ve kendi kendini dengeleyen robota uygulanmaktadır. Ayrıca yapılan çalışmalar incelendiğinde, sadece kendi kendini dengeleyen robotların analizinin gerçekleştirildiği görülmektedir. Yapılan bu çalışmada sürücü de sisteme dahil edilerek analiz edilmiştir. İlk olarak iki tekerlekli kendi kendini dengeleyen robot modellenmiş ve bu sistem için sadece PID (oransal, integral ve türevsel) kontrolcü ve Bulanık Mantık-PID (Fuzzy Logic-PID) kontrolcü tasarlanmıştır. Bulanık Mantık-PID kontrolcünün değişken kazanım katsayılarına sahip olması klasik kontrolcülerden daha hızlı tepki vermesini sağlamaktadır. PID ve Bulanık Mantık-PID kontrolcüler ile elde edilen benzetim sonuçları karşılaştırılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonunda Bulanık Mantık-PID kontrolcünün, kontrolcü kazanımlarını kendi kendine ayarlayabildiği ve istenilen hız ve pozisyona ulaşmakta başarılı bir performansa sahip olduğu anlaşılmıştır

Microbial Quality and Presence of Mycotoxins in Herbal Teas

Bitki çayları, Camellia sinensis dışındaki bitkisel materyalden elde edilmekte olup hem hoşa giden tatlarınedeniyle hem de sağlığı korumak ve çeşitli rahatsızlıkları gidermek gibi amaçlarla eski zamanlardan berikullanılmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, bu ürünlerin hasat öncesinde ve hasat sonrası üretim aşamalarındakontaminasyona uğrayabildiği bilinmektedir. Bu kontaminantlar arasında patojen bakteriler ve mikotoksijenikküfler önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Bitki çaylarında uygun şartlarda gelişen mikotoksijenik küfler, insan sağlığıüzerinde olumsuz etkileri bulunan mikotoksinleri oluşturabilmektedir. Bu derlemede çay yapımında kullanılanbitkisel materyallerin mikrobiyal kalitesi ve bu ürünlerdeki mikotoksinlerin varlığı üzerine yapılmış çalışmalarayer verilmiştir.Herbal teas are derived from herbal materials other than Camellia sinensis and have been used since ancient times for their pleasurable tastes and for the purpose of maintaining health and relieving various ailments. However, it is known that these crops can undergo contamination prior to harvest and at post-harvest stage of production. Among these contaminants, pathogenic bacteria and mycotoxigenic molds are important. Mycotoxigenic molds that grow under suitable conditions in herbal teas can produce mycotoxins with adverse effects on human health. This review includes the studies that focused on the microbial quality of herbal materials used in tea making and presence of mycotoxins in these products

DETERMINATION OF AFLATOXINS IN LINDEN (TILIA SPP.) and ROSEHIP (ROSA CANINA) SAMPLES SOLD IN TEKİRDAĞ PROVINCE

Bu çalışmada, Tekirdağ ili ve ilçelerindeki farklı satış noktalarından temin edilen 15 adet ıhlamur ve 15adet kuşburnu örneğinde, aflatoksin B1(AFB1), B2(AFB2), G1(AFG1) ve G2(AFG2) varlığı HPLC yöntemiile araştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, örneklerde nem, su aktivitesi (aw) tayini, toplam mezofilik aerobik bakteri vetoplam maya küf sayımı da yapılmıştır. Aflatoksin analizi sonucunda, ıhlamur örneklerinden birinde0.158 µg/kg AFG1ve 0.168 µg/kg AFG2, bir diğerinde ise 0.162 µg/kg AFG2bulunmuş, örneklerdekiaflatoksin miktarlarının yasal limitlerin altında olduğu belirlenmiştir. Diğer ıhlamur ve kuşburnuörneklerinde ise, düzeyi tayin limitinin (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1ve AFG2için sırasıyla 0.155, 0.168, 0.156,0.162 µg/kg) altında olmakla birlikte, incelenen aflatoksinlerden en az biri tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmadaincelenen örneklerde düşük düzeyde de olsa aflatoksinlerin tespit edilmesi, özellikle hassas tüketicigrupları tarafından bitki çayı olarak tüketilebilen ıhlamur ve kuşburnu gibi ürünlerde aflatoksinlerinbulunabileceğini göstermektedir.Aflatoxin B1(AFB1), B2(AFB2), G1(AFG1) and G2(AFG2) contents of 15 linden and 15 rosehip providedfrom supermarkets, herbalists and bazaars in Tekirdağ province were investigated using HPLC method.Samples were also assayed for moisture, water activity (aw), total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB)and total yeast and mould counts. One of the linden samples was determined to contain AFG1andAFG2at levels of 0.158 µg/kg and 0.168 µg/kg, respectively. AFG2content of another linden samplewas determined to be 0.162 µg/kg. Aflatoxin levels of these samples were lower than the maximumpermissible levels. The rest of the samples were determined to be contaminated with at least one of thefour aflatoxins with levels below LOQ (0.155; 0.168; 0.156; 0.162 µg/kg for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2,respectively). The existence of aflatoxins in the samples even in low levels shows that plant materialssuch as linden and rosehip consumed as herbal tea by sensitive consumer groups may contain aflatoxins

A case of chronic ulcer due to subcutaneous arteriolosclerosis in an obese patient mimicking pyoderma gangrenosum

The differential diagnosis of chronic ulcers covers a wide range of diseases and poses a diagnostic challenge. Subcutaneous ischemic arteriolosclerosis can lead to local ischaemia and ulceration as a result of arteriolar narrowing and reduction of tissue perfusion. This pathophysiological feature can be seen in eutrophication (nonuremic calciphylaxis) in morbid obesity, hypertensive ischemic leg ulcer (Martorell ulcer) and calciphylaxis in chronic renal insufficiency. All of the ulcers happened in this way can be wrongly diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum because of clinical similarity and inadequate biopsies. We report a case of chronic ulcer due to subcutaneous arteriolosclerosis in morbid obesity, wrongly diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum. It can be detrimental to misdiagnose the ulcers due to subcutaneous arteriolosclerosis as pyoderma gangrenosum since they need a diametrically different approach

Local authorities participation in the tourism planning process

<p>The aim of this article is to explore the weaknesses and strengths of local authorities in terms of their participation in the tourism planning process in Turkey. A two-page questionnaire was applied, along with structured interviews with 71 administrators of metropolitan, provincial, and district authorities, between January 1 and September 31, 2011. The findings of the survey suggest that tourism planning responsibilities should be devolved to local authorities. Local authorities do not extensively participate in tourism planning at present because of inadequate budgeting and tourism allocation facilities, insufficient cooperation among stakeholders, and a domination of central administration traditions. Causes of insufficient participation in tourism planning statistically differ among local authorities, in terms of insufficient realizations of the importance of tourism planning by stakeholders, and public land allocation for the purpose of tourism. On the other hand, there is a statistically significant difference between local authorities that have a tourism master plan and those who do not, in terms of a lack of educational opportunities for planners.</p

Gastrointestinal Tract Multiple Lymphomatous Polyposis Presented As Mantle Cell Lymphoma

DergiPark: 640245tmsjAims: Mantle cell lymphoma is a mature B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma which may be presented with the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract as multiple lymphomatous polyposis. The aim of this case report is to increase the awareness of including lymphomatoid polyposis as an entity in the differential diagnosis of multiple polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract. Case Report: A 69-year-old male patient was admitted to the Trakya University Emergency Department with acute abdominal pain. His cli-nical findings were anorexia that started 3-4 months ago together with constipation and nausea causing him to lose 10-15 kg in 7-8 months, with denial of other parameters of B-symptoms (fevers and night sweats). Endoscopic biopsies that were taken from bulbus and duodenum were investigated and he was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. The patient went through an ileoce-cal resection due to his intussusception that caused abdominal pain in the first place. Conclusion: Although being an infrequent disease, gastrointestinal lymphomatoid polyposis should be an entity comprised in differential diagnosis for multiple polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, there is still not a therapeutic protocol with a definitive cure for gastrointestinal tract mantle cell lymphoma. Elderly patients in high risk group such as our patient should be given treatment by taking their conditions into consideration. Keywords: Mantle cell lymphoma, polyp, non-Hodgkin lymphom

Relationship between lymphovascular invasion and clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is an important prognostic factor in various solid tumors, however, data on the association between LVI and thyroid carcinomas are limited. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between LVI and clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Six hundred seventy-eight patients diagnosed with PTC between 2012 and 2015 were included into the study. Patients were classified based on the presence or absence of LVI. Gender, age, ultrasonography (US), tumor size and multifocality, BRAFV600E mutation, perineural and capsular invasion, extrathyroid extension (ETE), nodal metastasis, and recurrences were evaluated, and risk analysis was performed for each parameter. The number of patients with LVI [LVI (+)] was 63, while the number of patients without LVI [LVI (-)] was 615. The female/male ratio was 564/114. LVI was present in 18.4% of male patients and in 7.4 % of female patients. In the age group between 17-25 years LVI was detected in 6/13 patients, and this result was statistically significant compared to other age groups (p = 0.004). Suspicious lymph nodes upon US, perineural or capsular invasion, ETE, tumor size, and nodal metastasis were significantly more frequent in LVI (+) group (p < 0.001). The frequency of BRAFV600E mutation was also significantly higher in LVI (+) group (p < 0.001). Overall, the presence of LVI was associated with gender, tumor size, age, lymph node metastasis, pathological lymph nodes, perineural and capsular invasion, ETE, and BRAFV600E mutation. These results suggest that in PTC patients undergoing thyroidectomy, the presence of LVI should be considered as an indicator of aggressive clinicopathological features and those patients should be followed up carefully for recurrences and metastasis

Effects of flaxseed intake on vascular contractile function in diabetic rats

In diabetes, one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality is vasculopathy. Though flaxseed (FXS) is known for improving cardiovascular health, only limited studies are available on FXS concerning diabetic vascular reactivity. Hence, in this study, we studied vascular reactivity changes after FXS treatment on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat aortae. Female Wistar rats were divided into following four groups: control (C), FXS treated (CT), diabetic (D), and FXS treated diabetic (DT) groups. FXS (0,714 g/kg/day; orally) was started after one week of STZ injection and was given for 12 weeks, phenylephrine (Phe)-induced contractions were obtained on isolated aortic rings in the presence of indomethacin, L-NAME and superoxide dismutase (SOD), individually. Phe-responses were increased significantly in D group and completely improved after FXS intake, whereas FXS increased vascular reactivity to Phe in C group. Indomethacin incubation significantly attenuated Phe-induced contractions in all groups of aorta, particularly in D group. L-NAME incubation significantly increased Phe responses in all groups except D group. SOD incubation decreased the contractions efficiently in D group. The decreament was much lower in DT compared to D group, but reverse effects were observed in CT group. Our findings suggest FXS may provide beneficial effects on diabetes-induced vascular reactivity changes through NO and prostaglandin dependent pathways, but in healty condition FXS may have adverse effect probably via pro-oxidant activity