Prediction of Rebound Amount in Dry Mix Shotcrete by a Fast Adaboosting Neural Network

In this study, a new machine learning approach has been proposed to predict the rebound causing loss of material in shotcrete using the ensemble learning method. In shotcrete application, the amount of rebound material was obtained for use in a dataset. In this study, the shotcrete mixes that contain an additive of fly-ash, silica fume, and polypropylene fiber were produced besides simple shotcrete. Each mix was sprayed onto 2 wooden panels measuring 45 × 45 × 15 cm in size. The rebound material resulting from the spraying process was collected, weighed and recorded as data. The highest rebound was observed for the plain sample and the lowest for samples with substituted silica fume. Dependent and independent parameters were identified in the dataset produced as a result of experimental studies. Hyperparameters producing optimum results in the training of the model were identified for the model and boosting method. The dataset was split into training and testing sets by 80% and 20%, respectively. As a result, the model achieved a prediction performance of 84.25%. To test the performance of the proposed model, traditional machine learning algorithms were compared on the same dataset. Consequently, the proposed model was observed to have the highest accuracy

Otkrivanje i molekularna karakterizacija psećeg adenovirusa tipa 2 (CAV-2) kod pasa sa simptomima dišnog sustava držanih u skloništima u Turskoj

Canine adenoviruses are agents responsible for two different infections in Canidae. While canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) causes contagious hepatitis (HCC) in dogs, canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is responsible for infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT). CAV-2, especially in the respiratory tract, leads to an infection that can result in death in young and cohabitant animals. In public housing such as shelters, in addition to opportunistic infections, a disorder defined as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) may also occur frequently. In this study, 155 nasal swabs were collected from dogs in two shelters where cases of respiratory system infections were closely monitored. These samples were tested for CAV-2 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers designed for the CAV E3 (Early) gene. Positive amplicons were subjected to DNA sequencing. CAV-2 nucleic acids were present in 2.5% (4/155) of the test samples. The phylogenetic assessment of the amplicon sequences revealed a 97.7%-98.9% similarity in the local viruses. The partial sequence analyses of the E3 gene of CAV-2 showed that Turkish and Chinese strains have differences in 9 amino acids. These differences redounded on phylogenetic analyses, and the virus which was considered as a single group, is now subdivided into two subgroups. One subgroup comprises American-European isolates and the other one consists of Turkish and Chinese isolates, so this subdivision can be classified into at least two subgroups, designated China-Turkey and America-Europe. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has examined the possible role of CAV-2 in respiratory system infections in dogs in Turkey, to provide novel and updated information regarding CAV-2.Adenovirusi su uzročnici odgovorni za dvije različite infekcije u pasa. Dok pseći adenovirus tipa 1 (CAV-1) uzrokuje zarazni hepatitis (HCC), pseći adenovirus tipa 2 (CAV-2) odgovoran je za zarazni laringotraheitis (ILT). CAV-2, osobito u dišnom sustavu, uzrokuje infekciju sa smrtnim ishodom kod mladih životinja i onih koje žive u zajednicama. U javnim objektima kao što su skloništa, osim oportunističkih infekcija, učestao je i poremećaj koji se definira kao pseća zarazna bolest dišnih puteva (CIRD). Tijekom ovog istraživanja prikupljeno je 155 uzoraka krvi od pasa držanih u dva skloništa u kojima su pažljivo praćeni slučajevi infekcija dišnog sustava. Uzorci su testirani na CAV-2 primjenom lančane reakcije polimerazom (PCR), uz upotrebu početnica oblikovanih za gen CAV E3 (Early). Pozitivni su amplikoni podvrgnuti sekvenciranju DNA. CAV-2 nukleinske kiseline bile su prisutne u 2,5 % (4/155) istraženih uzoraka. Filogenetska analiza sekvencija amplikona otkrila je u lokalnim virusima 97,7 - 98,9 % sličnosti. Analize parcijalnih sekvencija gena CAV-2 E3 pokazale su da turski i kineski sojevi imaju razlike u 9 aminokiselina. Te su razlike dodatno analizirane filogenetskim analizama i virus koji je smatran jedinstvenom skupinom, podijeljen je na dvije podskupine. Jedna su podskupina američko-europski izolati, a druga se sastoji od turskih i kinskih izolata. Stoga se ovom podjelom mogu razlikovati najmanje dvije podskupine, označene kao Kina - Turska i Amerika - Europa. Pretpostavlja se da je ovo prvo istraživanje o mogućoj ulozi CAV-2 u infekcijama dišnog sustava pasa u Turskoj i kao takvo pruža nove informacije o CAV-2

Improved latent heat storage properties through mesopore enrichment of a zeolitic shape stabilizer

Latent heat storage systems are applied to keep temperature of a local environment within a constant range. The process takes place via release/storage of latent heat during freezing/melting of a corresponding phase change material embedded in a shape stabilizer, which is the scaffold keeping the phase change material stationary in its molten form. In this work, a highly siliceous ZSM-5 and modified versions thereof were chosen as shape stabilizers for molecular and polymeric phase change materials (namely lauric acid and polyethylene glycol), to be impregnated using solvent assisted vacuum impregnation. The dominantly microporous analogues, parent ZSM-5 and its acid-treated derivative, were limited to 40% uptake for each phase change material. Contrastingly, a mesopore rich analogue (as formed under basic conditions) reached 65% impregnation for lauric acid and 70% for polyethylene glycol, without any leakage at 70 \ub0C, resulting in latent heats of 106.9 J/g and 118.6 J/g for each composite, respectively. A simple prototypical real-world application demonstrated that the prepared lauric acid and polyethylene glycol composites of mesopore enriched ZSM-5 could maintain their temperatures up to 27% and 22% lower than the ambient environment under solar heating, as well as up to 20% and 26% higher when solar heating stops. The presented findings indicate mesopore enrichment improves phase change material uptake in these low cost, non-toxic zeolitic shape stabilizers, hence making them good candidates as isolation materials to address energy loss during heating/cooling of household environments

Closed Fracture of the Medial Malleolus Accompanied by A Rupture of the Tibialis Anterior Tendon: An Unusual Case Report

Isolated medial malleolus fractures comprise two-thirds of all ankle fractures and are rarely accompanied by a posterior tibial tendon rupture and dislocation. However, a medial malleolus fracture accompanied by an anterior tibial tendon rupture is unusual, and has not yet been reported. In this paper, a case of medial malleolus fracture accompanied by a tibialis anterior tendon rupture is presented and discussed

Turkish version of the paindetect questionnaire in the assessment of neuropathic pain: A validity and reliability study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a Turkish version of the painDETECT questionnaire (PD-Q) and assess its reliability and validity. Methods: Two hundred and forty patients who were diagnosed by expert pain physicians in daily clinical practice and classified as having either neuropathic, nociceptive, or mixed pain for at least 3 months were enrolled in this study. After the usual translation process, the Turkish version of the PD-Q was administered to each participant twice with an interval of 48 hours. The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) and a pain visual analog scale were assessed along with the PD-Q. Chronbach's α was calculated to evaluate internal consistency of the PD-Q. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to examine test-retest reliability. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the scale with LANSS and DN4. Discriminant statistics-sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, positive predictive value, negative predictive value-were also assessed. Results: A total of 240 patients with chronic pain, 80 patients in each neuropathic, nociceptive, and mixed pain group, were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 54.1 years, and majority of the patients were female (52.9%). Chronbach's α of the Turkish version of the PD-Q was 0.81. The test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of the PD-Q was determined as 0.98 for the total score and ranged from 0.86 to 0.99 for individual items. The Turkish version of the PD-Q was possitively and significantly corralated with LANSS (r 0.89, P<0.001) and DN4 (r 0.82, P<0.001). When the two cutoff values in the original version were used, sensitivity was found 77.5% for a cutoff value ≤19, and specificity was 82.5%. Sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 67.5%, respectively, for the other cutoff value ≤12. Scores ≤12 represents a negative predictive value=87%, and scores 19≤ represents a positive predictive value=82%. When mixed pain patients were included in the neuropathic pain group, discriminant values were reduced as expected. Conclusions: The Turkish version of the PD-Q is a reliable and valid scale to be used to determine neuropathic component of chronic pain in Turkish patients. © 2013

The effect of aerobic exercise program on pulmonary function and cardiorespiratory capacity in obese women

Objective: To examine the effects of a six-month aerobic exercise program on pulmonary function and cardiorespiratory capacity in obese women. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 subjects - 25 obese women who neither did regular exercise nor applied a special diet program, and 25 healthy controls - were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) values were measured as evaluation parameters in both groups. Obese women were enrolled to a supervised hospital-based bicycle aerobic exercise program for six months at an individualized target heart rate range (50-85% of heart reserve), with an increasing frequency and duration. Evaluation parameters were reevaluated after the exercise program and were compared with the pre-exercise values. Results: VO2max, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, and maximum mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75) were significantly lower in obese women (p&lt;0.05). There was a statistically significant decrease at BMI and statistically significant increase at VO2max, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75 among obese women after completing the 6-month exercise program. Conclusion: It was shown that obese women had lower cardiopulmonary capacity and PFTs when compared to non-obese ones and, aerobic exercise could improve cardiopulmonary capacity and PFTs in obese women. © Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Published by Galenos Publishing

Predictive factor for lymph node metastasis in non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive factors of lymph node involvement in non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas (nmCRC). Methods: A total of 453 patients diagnosed with nmCRC were analyzed regarding T stage, lymphovascular invasion status, tumor grade and proposed risk score (RS), determined by the combination of these three factors for lymph node metastasis. Results: The median age was 62 (25-90 years), M/F ratio was 1.4:1 and majority of the patients had tumors localized on the left colon (70.6%). The number of excised lymph nodes was ≥12 in 77% of the cases. The postoperative pathological assessments revealed that 57.2% of patie,nts had N0 disease, 29.1% had N1 disease, and 13.7% had N2 disease. The T stages (p=0.007), grade (p<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.002), RS (p<0.001), and number of excised lymph nodes (p=0.029) were significantly different between N0, N1, and N2 patients. Higher RS was associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). Conclusion: The risk score may predict lymph node metastasis in patients with nmCRC and if validated may be helpful in the decision-making of adjuvant chemotherapy, especially in the elderly and patients with inadequate lymph node dissection

Using complementary and alternative medicine in patients with breast cancer diagnosis at Afyon Kocatepe University

AMAÇ: Bu çalışmada Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi’nde meme kanseri nedeniyle takip edilmekte olan hastalarda tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tedavi (TAT) kullanım sıklığının ve TAT ile ilgili uygulamaların belirlenmesi ve incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: Çalışmamıza Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi, Tıbbi Onkoloji Polikliniği ile Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Ana Bilim Dalı’na başvuran toplam 70 meme kanserli hasta dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların sosoyodemografik özellikleri ile, kullanılan TAT yöntemlerine yönelik sorgulamayı içeren 44 soruluk bir form doldurulmuştur. BULGULAR: Ortalama yaşları 57.5 ± 11.2 yıl olan hastaların en az bir TAT yöntemi kullanma oranı %85.7 (60 kişi) olarak belirlenmiştir. TAT yöntemi olarak en çok dua etmenin (%85.7) ve bitkilerin (%30) tercih edildiği saptanmıştır. TAT yöntemi kullanan meme kanserli hastaların %55’i TAT kullanmaya kendisi karar verirken, %13.3’ü ailesinin etkisiyle TAT kullanmaya başlamış. Çalışmamızda TAT kullanan hastaların sadece %35’inin bu konuda doktoruna bilgi verdiği görülmüştür. TAT kullanan hastaların %32.9’u çok fayda gördüğünü belirtirken, bu hastaların %44.3’ü tanı aldıktan hemen sonra tedavi süreci başlamadan bu yöntemlere başvurduğunu ifade etmiştir. SONUÇ: Hastalarımızın TAT yöntemlerini sık olarak kullandıkları, çoğunlukla da dua ve bitkisel yöntemleri tercih ettikleri saptanmıştır. Ayrıca meme kanserli kadınların TAT kullanımı ile ilgili sağlık çalışanlarına bilgi vermediği, özellikle kemoterapi, radyoterapi/ hormon tedavisi devam edenlerin büyük çoğunluğunun beraberinde TAT kullandığı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca; sağlık çalışanlarının hastaları TAT kullanma yönünden sorgulamaları, böylelikle bu yöntemlerin kullanımı ile ilgili oluşabilecek yan etkilerin önlenmesine de yardımcı olunabileceğini düşünmekteyiz.OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency of complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) usage and CAM related applications in patients with breast cancer at Afyon Kocatepe University. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study included a total of 70 patients with breast cancer who applied to the Afyon Kocatepe University Medical Faculty Hospital, Medical Oncology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinics. A 44-question form including questionnaires on the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and the CAM methods used were filled out. RESULTS: Patients with a mean age of 57.5 ± 11.2 years were assigned at least one CAM method as 85.7% (60 people). It was determined that; praying (85.7%) and plants (30%) were as the most preferred CAM method. While 55% of breast cancer patients using the CAM method decided to use oneself, 13.3% of them started to use CAM due to the influence of their family. In our study, only 35% of the patients using CAM were informed about this issue by their doctor. While 32.9% of patients using CAM indicated that they were very beneficial, 44.3% of the patients stated that they applied to these methods immediately after the diagnosis was started. CONCLUSIONS: It has been determined that our patients use CAM methods frequently, mostly they prefer prayer and herbal methods. In addition, breast cancer patients do not inform health workers about the use of CAM, especially the majority of those continuing with chemotherapy, radiotherapy / hormone therapy were using CAM together. As a result; we also think that health professionals can also interrogate patients in terms of using CAM so that they can also help prevent side effects from using these methods

Recent tectonic features of the central part Bolu-Corum of the North Anatolian Fault

After the 1999 Izmit and Düzce earthquakes, the earth science studies increase on the NAF to better understand mechanism and to monitor the motion of it. Monitoring such motion can be achieved by the instrumental tools or techniques like GPS, InSAR, LIDAR, creep meter, etc. The GPS observations showed that while the NW-SE trending section of the NAF between Karlıova and Vezirköprü has nearly strike slip mechanism, the NE-SW trending section of the NAF between Vezirköprü and Bolu has transpressive character. While the fault-parallel velocities have been estimated from just a few GPS vectors available in the region, little is known about the fault-perpendicular component of the regional velocity. The rate of conversion and how it varies along strike are not known due to the sparsely distributed GPS benchmarks in the region. At the same time, the aseismic fault creep determined using InSAR has needed to proof and improve by other techniques and tools. For this propose the new project has been started to determine quantitatively the rate of convergence and its variation along segment of the NAF between Bolu and Çorum. In this study, we focus on the Bolu-Çorum segment of the NAFZ using GPS technique. The main aim of this study is determination of creep rate with geodetic measurements and combination of the data obtained from seismology, geodesy and geophysics to understand fault mechanism. Therefore, in this paper we discuss tectonic phenomena on the central part of the NAFZ and present the first results of the projec