Commutators, Lefschetz fibrations and the signatures of surface bundles

We construct examples of Lefschetz fibrations with prescribed singular fibers. By taking differences of pairs of such fibrations with the same singular fibers, we obtain new examples of surface bundles over surfaces with non-zero signature. From these we derive new upper bounds for the minimal genus of a surface representing a given element in the second homology of a mapping class group.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Topolog

Numerical friction lines for cfd based form factor determination

In this study, frictional resistance coefficients of an infinitely thin 2D plate have been computed at 14 Reynolds numbers (between og10()=6.25 to 9.5) in sets of five geometrically similar structured grids in order to perform reliable grid dependence studies. Additional grid dependency studies have been performed by using 5 sets of grids which have the same number of cells in all directions but varying first cell sizes normal to the flat plate at og10(n)=6.25. Average + values for each grid set for the finest grid varies between 0.0075 and 0.5 (from set 1 to 5 respectively) while none of the simulations exceeded average + value of 1. All simulations were performed with the direct application of the no-slip condition at walls. Therefore, no wall functions were used. Two turbulence models have been used for the investigations: −ω SST and EASM. Extensive grid dependence studies have been performed with two different CFD codes SHIPFLOW and FINE™/MARINE, using the same grids. Special attention was paid to the transition from laminar to turbulent flow at the lowest Reynolds number since laminar part can cover a significant part of the plate. At og10(n)=6.25 for both CFD codes, laminar flow and transition to turbulent flow was distinctive even though no transition models were applied. Significant dependency on + has been observed with FINE™/MARINE on friction resistance coefficient. On the other hand, SHIPFLOW exhibited less sensitivity to the first cell size variation, hence, revealed smaller numerical uncertainties in general. To ensure a numerical uncertainty of frictional resistance component below 1%, average +<0.016 have been used for generating the data points of friction line with SHIPFLOW for each turbulence model. Data points of 14 Reynolds number have been transformed into numerical friction lines by applying curve fits. Obtained friction lines are compared with ITTC57 line, Schoenherr, Hughes, Toki, Katsui, Grigson lines and two numerical friction lines

The influence of post-fixation on visualising vimentin in the retina using immunofluorescence method

Background: Post-fixation of sections is especially required for cryostat sections of fresh frozen tissues. Vimentin is an intermediate filament in both fibrillary and non-fibrillary form, expressed in Müller’s cells and astrocytes of the retina. Our aim was to determine the best post-fixation method for visualising vimentin in archival mouse eyes. Materials and methods: We used an archival mouse eye, slightly pre-fixed with paraformaldehyde and stored at –80°C for 4 years. We tried three fixatives (pa­raformaldehyde [PFA], alcohol/acetic acid [AAA] and methanol) for post-fixation of eye sections. Results: We showed that post-fixation alters the labelling properties of vimentin expressed in the retina. In the sections with no post-fixation, vimentin positivity was observed in and around the nuclei in non-fibrillary form. In PFA post-fixed sections, the vimentin in the retina was not observed as fibrils. Positivity was observed in the nuclei and in perinuclear regions of the cells. In AAA post-fixed sections, positive labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. In methanol post-fixed sections, labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. Conclusions: We conclude that post-fixation with AAA is more convenient for immunofluorescent labelling of vimentin in the retina for slightly PFA pre-fixed and long-term stored retina. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 246–252

Member-Level Redundancy of Built-Up Steel Axially Loaded Members

Full-scale fracture tests were completed determining that mechanically-fastened steel built-up axially-loaded tension members are resistant to running fracture when a single component suddenly fractures. This characteristic of built-up member is referred to as Cross-Boundary Fracture Resistance (CBFR). A comprehensive finite element model-based parametric study was also performed investigating the post-fracture load redistribution behavior of multi-component built-up members. Simplified closed-form solutions were developed for engineering analysis of built-up members to evaluate for internal member redundancy and estimate safe inspection intervals that are based on the fatigue life of the member in the assumed faulted condition

Computation using Noise-based Logic: Efficient String Verification over a Slow Communication Channel

Utilizing the hyperspace of noise-based logic, we show two string verification methods with low communication complexity. One of them is based on continuum noise-based logic. The other one utilizes noise-based logic with random telegraph signals where a mathematical analysis of the error probability is also given. The last operation can also be interpreted as computing universal hash functions with noise-based logic and using them for string comparison. To find out with 10^-25 error probability that two strings with arbitrary length are different (this value is similar to the error probability of an idealistic gate in today's computer) Alice and Bob need to compare only 83 bits of the noise-based hyperspace.Comment: Accepted for publication in European Journal of Physics B (November 10, 2010

Pathogenicity of proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Implications as biomarker and future therapies

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare but serious necrotizing auto-immune vasculitis. GPA is mostly associated with the presence of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) targeting proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA), a serine protease contained in neutrophil granules but also exposed at the membrane. PR3-ANCAs have a proven fundamental role in GPA: they bind neutrophils allowing their auto-immune activation responsible for vasculitis lesions. PR3-ANCAs bind neutrophil surface on the one hand by their Fab binding PR3 and on the other by their Fc binding Fc gamma receptors. Despite current therapies, GPA is still a serious disease with an important mortality and a high risk of relapse. Furthermore, although PR3-ANCAs are a consistent biomarker for GPA diagnosis, relapse management currently based on their level is inconsistent. Indeed, PR3-ANCA level is not correlated with disease activity in 25% of patients suggesting that not all PR3-ANCAs are pathogenic. Therefore, the development of new biomarkers to evaluate disease activity and predict relapse and new therapies is necessary. Understanding factors influencing PR3-ANCA pathogenicity, i.e. their potential to induce auto-immune activation of neutrophils, offers interesting perspectives in order to improve GPA management. Most relevant factors influencing PR3-ANCA pathogenicity are involved in their interaction with neutrophils: level of PR3 autoantigen at neutrophil surface, epitope of PR3 recognized by PR3-ANCA, isotype and glycosylation of PR3-ANCA. We detailed in this review the advances in understanding these factors influencing PR3-ANCA pathogenicity in order to use them as biomarkers and develop new therapies in GPA as part of a personalized approach

Yaşam Konforu Açısından Ortopedik Ve Fiziksel Sağlık Sorunlarının Çalışan İş Kadınları Üzerindeki Etkilerinin Uygulamalı Bir Örneği

Özet: Bu araştırmanın amacı; iş hayatı içerisinde aktif görev alan kadın katılımcıların yaşamış olduğu ortopedik bazı sorunların belirlenmesi ve bu ortaya çıkan sorunların iş hayatı içerisindeki performans ve verimlilikleri üzerine etkilerinin ortaya çıkarılması şeklindedir. Uygulamalı olarak gerçekleştirilen bu çalışmada ölçekli bir anket kullanılmıştır. Kullanılan anket iki bölümden oluşmaktadır. İlk bölümde katılımcıların demografik özelliklerinin belirlenmesine yönelik sorular, ikinci bölümde ise 5’li lirekt ölçekten oluşan sorular bulunmaktadır. Araştırmada kullanılan ölçme aleti ilk kez kullanıldığından bir ön teste tabi tutulmuştur. Ön test İstanbul ilinde bulunan (n=20) bayan katılımcıya uygulanmıştır. Uygulamaya katılanlardan elde edilen veriler SPSS 18 istatistik programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Ön test sonrasında Cronbach’s Alpha kat sayısı olarak 0.719 kat sayısı elde edilmiştir. Bu değer araştırmada kullanılan ölçme aletinin oldukça güvenilir olduğunu göstermektedir. Asıl araştırmanın evreni İstanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Kocaeli, İzmit, Tekirdağ ve Edirne illerinde bulunan ortopedi ve travmatoloji ile fiziksel anlamda romatizmal rahatsızlık yaşayan bayan katılımcılar oluşturmaktadır. (n=4378) katılımcıya elden, mail, posta ve yüz yüze görüşmek koşulu ile dağıtılan anket formlarından geri dönüş (n=2461) adettir. Bu dönen anketlerin sadece (n=1351) adeti uygulamaya uygun bulunmuştur. Tüm katılımcılar rast gele seçilmiş ve araştırmada basit rassal yöntem uygulanmıştır. Araştırma yaklaşık olarak 11 ay sürmüştür. Analize uygun bulunan formlar SPSS 18 programına yüklenmiş ve güvenirlilik geçerlilik testi, anova, t testi, kuruskal – Wallis Testi, Faktör, Hipotez ve Mann – Whitney U testlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Alpha kat sayısı olarak 0.769 kat sayısı elde edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda katılımcıların büyük çoğunluğunun romatizmalı hastalıklar ve eklem rahatsızlıkları nedeniyle büyük sorun yaşadığı görülmüştür. Ortaya çıkan bu sorunlar katılımcıların sosyal yaşam konforunu olumsuz etkilediği gibi yaptıkları iş ile görevlerinde başarı kaybına neden olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca bu rahatsızlıkları yaşayan katılımcıların büyük çoğunluğu yaşadığı rahatsızlığın ortaya çıkardığı ağrılı durumlar nedeniyle iş performans ve verimliliğinde de azalmalara neden oluşturduğunu belirtmiştir. Sonuç olarak katılımcıların tamamında yaşadıkları sorun nedeniyle motivasyon kaybı, iş verimliliğinde azalma, performans ve sosyo-kültürel hayat içerisinde ciddi sorunlar yaşattığını ortaya çıkarmıştır. Ayrıca bazı sağlık sorunu yaşayan bireylerin kullandığı geçici çözümlerin etkili olmadığı, jel, ağrı kesici, ısı bantları v.b. materyallerin sağlıkları üzerinde kalıcı bir fayda yaratmadığı saptanmıştır. Bir başka önemli bulgu ise eklem rahatsızlıkları ve doku bozulmaları konusunda sorun yaşayan katılımcıların ortalama olması gereken kilo üzerinde bir kiloya sahip olduğu gerçeğini de göstermektedir. Katılımcıların büyük çoğunluğunun sportif aktivite yapmamaları da bu tip rahatsızlıkların ortaya çıkışındaki kilo alma sorunu üzerinde etkili olduğunu göstermektedir

Assessment of subjective sleep quality in iron deficiency anaemia

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effect of anemia on subjective sleep quality in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Methods: One hundred and four patients diagnosed with IDA and 80 healthy individuals, who are gender and age matched, were included in the study. All participants were requested to fill 3 forms: a socio-demographic form (age, gender, marital status, income level and educational status), hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale and pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI).Results: According to the HAD scale, the average anxiety score was found 9.24±4.37 in patients and 7.58± 4.07 in controls. And, the average depression score was 7.53±4.10 in patients and 6.41±2.74 in controls. The total sleep quality score was 6.71±3.02 in patients and 4.11±1.64 in controls. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of anxiety, depression and sleep quality scores. Linear regression analysis showed no association between anxiety and depression with poor sleeping.Conclusion: IDA affects sleep quality irrespective of psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, sleep quality, anxiet