DYNAMIC RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF A MULTI-STATE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

WOS: 000473285300011Dynamic reliability analysis of binary systems has been widely studied in case of homogeneous continuous time Markov process assumption in the literature. In this study, we evaluate dynamic performance of a multi-state rotor line of electric motors manufacturing system under non-homogeneous continuous time Markov process (NHCTMP) degradation by using lifetime distributions of seven workstations within the system. By means of this degradation process assumption we capture the effect of age on the state change of components in the analysis by means of time dependent transition rates between states of the workstations. Essentially this is typical of many systems and more practical to use in real life applications. The working principle is based on a three state structure. If all the machines within each workstation work, the workstation is defined as working with the full performance. Whenever at least one machine fails within each workstation, then the workstation is defined as working with partial performance. If all the machines in the workstation fail then the workstation is defined as failed. The lifetime properties of the workstations under NHCTMP assumption have been studied for this three-state structure of the workstations. The workstations are all working independently and nonidentically from each other and they are connected in series within the system. We especially performed an extensive application study based on the lifetime data regarding the seven workstations within a manufacturing system. Dynamic reliability results are also discussed for the system structure. Some performance characteristics are developed for both workstations and the system as well. Numerical results far the performance characteristics of those workstations and the system are provided and supported with some graphical illustrations

Perceived constraints and facilitators of participation in physical activity by individuals with autism spectrum disorders

KOCAK, FUNDA/0000-0001-5029-3006WOS: 000519128200007Introduction. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature and context of parent perspectives of physical activity for their children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods. In the study, one of the qualitative research methods, semi-structured interview technique was used as the research design phenomenology method. In addition to demographic information form, participants were asked about the factors that facilitate or constraints their children's participation in physical activity and the benefits of physical activity. Criterion sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used in the study. The study group consisted of 11 parents whose ages ranged from 37 to 55 years (Mage = 44.09, SD = 6.59) and children participated to physical activity rehabilitation program which was carried out by a special education and rehabilitation center. Thematic analysis method was used for data analysis. Results. Three themes being constraints in physical activity, facilitators in physical activity and benefits of physical activity were reported. In the study, most frequently reported constraints were intrapersonal and the most commonly reported facilitator was also intrapersonal. Parents' opinions suggest that interpersonal factors and structural factors are important for special education students with ASD to continue their participation in physical activity. Conclusion. As a result, it is seen that the parents of individuals with ASD encounter some constraints in directing their children to physical activity, however due to the benefits obtained despite these constraints, their children continue to participate in physical activity

Extraction of anthocyanins from grape pomace by using supercritical carbon dioxide

WOS: 000586081800001Red grape pomace contains many secondary metabolites including anthocyanins and phenolic acids which significantly contribute to its antioxidant capacity. Herein, anthocyanins were extracted from grape pomace by using supercritical carbon dioxide. Ethyl alcohol was used as cosolvent. the temperature and pressure were kept constant during the extraction (95 degrees C and 100 bar). the total extraction time was 180 min. the total monomeric anthocyanin content (TMAC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were analyzed by taking samples from the extract at the 30th, 60th, 90th, 120th, 150th, and 180th min. the TMAC of grape pomace is 1,932.1 mg/kg dry matter. the TMAC and TAC values at each time intervals were calculated to be 579.2, 406.1, 123.7, 52.8, 38.5, and 16.4 mg/kg dry matter and 177.3, 171.1, 90.6, 44.7, 19.6, and 10.0 mg Trolox/100 g dry matter, respectively. the extractable TMAC and TAC values gradually decreased with time. the cumulative total anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity increased with time. Practical applications the extraction of bioactive compounds from food matrices by using novel technologies has recently become a major challenge for the food industry since cost effective measures should be adopted in order to maximize the efficiency and to achieve the highest possible quality with the minimum input. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction has been recognized as one of such methods and it aims to shorten the process time while inducing the possibly least environmental damage. This research may serve as a guide for the potential industrial applications owing to following reasons; the determination of the steady state during extraction is critical to terminating the extraction at this steady state point to save energy and labor costs. the optimization of the extraction time will surely assist the cost reduction of food colorants including anthocyanins, which are yielded by the SCCO2 extraction and used for the production of jams and muffins.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry [TAGEM 16/AR-GE/033]Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Grant/Award Number: Project TAGEM 16/AR-GE/03

Native valve endocarditis due to Pseudomonas mendocina in a patient with mental retardation and a review of literature

Pseudomonas menclocina, a Gram-negative non-fermentative rod, occurs in water and soil but is rarely recovered as a human pathogen. We report a native valve endocarditis due to Pseudomonas mendocina in a patient with mental retardation

Knowledge Level and Awareness about Osteoporosis among Risk Group of Rural Women

WOS: 000409955700006Objective: Prolongation of the average life expectancy, increase in the elderly population, sedentary lifestyle, irregular eating habits; many diseases or drug usage increase predisposition to osteoporosis. The treatment costs of osteoporotic fractures in high risk groups have been increasing day by day. There are many studies which were conducted on awareness and perception of osteoporosis in the world and Turkey. However, there have been very little informing to increase awareness and perception especially in high risk groups in Turkey. In this study awareness and knowledge of rural women which have been in the risk group were evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 583 rural women within the risk group of primary or secondary osteoporosis were included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 3 parts was used to evaluate the knowledge level and awareness about osteoporosis. Every correct answer was calculated as one point. Results: The mean age was 48.21 +/- 10.62 (range, 32-78) years. Five-hundred five (86.6%) of the women indicated that they have knowledge about osteoporosis. When knowledge levels of the women who had stated having knowledge about osteoporosis were analyzed; 240 (47.5%) were aware that they were in the risk group. Women who had higher education levels, had have higher awareness that they were in the risk group (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the total score of risk group with complication of osteoporosis awareness and age (r=-0.473, p<0.001). It has been detected that, there was a strong positive correlation between total score and education level (r=0.821, p<0.001). Conclusion: The education levels of women living in rural area are lower. The number of informative studies and community screening programmes for these women should be increased in order to reduce the morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure

Comparable efficacy of tenofovir versus entecavir and predictors of response in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B: a multicenter real-life study

Objective: To compare responses to tenofovir (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) therapy. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study including treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who received TDF or ETV. The primary end-points were undetectable HBV-DNA at 48 weeks and serological and biochemical responses. Results: Out of 195 CHB patients, 90 (46%) received TDF and 105 (54%) received ETV; 72% were male, their mean age was 43 ± 12 years, and the mean duration of treatment was 30.2 ± 15.7 months. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seropositivity was 32% in the TDF group and 34% in the ETV group. HBeAg seroconversion rates in HBeAg-positive patients were 24% in the TDF group and 39% in the ETV group; the difference was not significant (p = 0.2). The mean time to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization and rates of ALT normalization at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The mean time to undetectable HBV-DNA levels in the TDF and ETV groups was 11.5 ± 8.9 and 12.9 ± 10.8 months, respectively (p = 0.32). A significantly greater decline in HBV-DNA levels at 12 and 18 months was observed in the TDF group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Seven (7%) patients on ETV therapy had virological breakthrough (p = 0.01). Only one patient in each group had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance. None of the patients developed decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma during treatment. Conclusions: The two drugs appear to have similar efficacy in CHB patients. However, 7% of patients on ETV therapy had virological breakthrough, while none of the patients on TDF therapy did

The diagnosis of brucellosis by use of BACTEC 9240 blood culture system

The diagnosis of brucellosis is generally made when a standard tube agglutination titer of 1/160 or more for anti-Brucella antibodies in the presence of compatible clinical signs and symptoms. However isolation of the organism from blood or bone marrow is the proof of the disease. In this study we aimed to describe the rate and duration of isolation of Brucella spp. from blood and bone marrow by use of automated blood culture system (BACTEC 9240). Between 1997 to 2001, 23 adults were diagnosed as brucellosis. Blood culture was obtained in all and simultaneous bone marrow culture in 18 and both specimens were cultured by BACTEC 9240. Brucella was isolated from blood and bone marrow cultures in 19 (82.6%) and 13 (81.2%) respectively. All positive blood cultures yielded within 7 days and bone marrow cultures in 4 days. We concluded that automated BACTEC culture systems can isolate Brucella spp. in a fast and efficient way. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved