Technology Leveraging for Infrastructure Asset Management: Challenges and Opportunities

Transportation and other infrastructure systems, particularly in dense urban regions, are intertwined, interdependent, multi-scale, multi-domain and complex, and their behavior cannot be predicted even when element behaviors are known. Such systems should be managed just like financial assets, leveraging measurement-based, objective and reliable metrics for documenting their value, performance and condition, and based on their lifecycle and disutility risk for each distinct limit-states of performance as discussed in the following. In this paper writers attempt to offer a perspective for asset management of civil infrastructures with a focus on highway bridges and describe the tools that are considered necessary for rectifying the current shortcomings mainly arising from subjective and incomplete performance and condition evaluation practice. The adoption of sensing systems, which allows measurements of displacement, acceleration, strain, tilt and that can be collected wirelessly, has the potential of providing objective metrics needed for optimal asset management. The authors however caution that such a transition (from asset management based on visual inspection to data-driven asset management based on objective metrics) could be truly achieved only if combined with the proper training of a new generation of infrastructure inspectors and stakeholders. The paper attempts to provide a roadmap to achieve such a transition in asset management and describes the critical concepts that should be incorporated in training a new generation of civil engineers in charge of maintaining our transportation assets

Investigation of Toll-like Receptor-2, -3 and -4 Gene Expressions in Larynx Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:Despite all the recent advancements, larynx cancer has shown no improvement in survival rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, -3, and -4 genes, and determine any relationships with the histopathologic characteristics of the disease.Methods:This retrospective study included 50 subjects who underwent total or partial laryngectomy with an open surgical method for larynx squamous cell carcinoma. Measurements of TLRs-2, -3, and -4 expression values were taken with quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction in normal tissue and tumor tissue samples of the patients.Results:Evaluations were made of TLR-2, -3, and -4 mRNA expressions according to 2-ΔΔCT calculations in 50 subjects with larynx cancer. When the tumor tissue was compared with the healthy tissue from the same subjects, reductions were determined in TLR expression in 86%, 84%, and 82%, respectively. This reduction in each gene expression was statistically significant (p<0.001). No statistically significant correlation was determined between the change in TLR-2, -3, and -4 expression and the histopathologic characteristics of the disease.Conclusion:The data obtained in this study demonstrated that TLR-2, -3, and -4 expressions were reduced in larynx squamous cell cancer. The results of further studies targeting these genes would be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease

Optımal Power Flow Analysıs And Sımulatıon In Power Systems

Enerjiye olan ihtiyaç ve enerji verimliliğinin önemi günümüzde giderek artmaktadır. Bu devamlılık halindeki durumun sonucu olarak termik, hidroelektrik, doğalgaz ve yenilenebilir enerji santrallerinde üretilen enerjinin minimum kayıp ve maksimum verimlilikle kaliteli ve sürekli olarak tüketiciye iletilmesi sağlanan bir artı değerden ziyade gereksinim haline dönüşmüştür. Ayrıca, ülkemizde üretilen elektrik enerjisinin yaklaşık olarak yarıdan fazlası doğalgaz ve ithal kömür gibi dışa bağımlı yakıt türleri ile elde edilmektedir. Bu nedenle, yakıt maliyetinin azaltılması ülke ekonomisi bakımından oldukça büyük öneme sahiptir. Bu tez çalışmasında, düşük maliyetli ve kaliteli enerjinin temini için birbirinden bağımsız sekiz farklı durum için IEEE 30 baralı Alternatif Akım güç sisteminde kapasite limitleri dâhilinde Optimal Güç Akışı analizi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Üç farklı türdeki yakıt maliyeti, güç kaybı, gerilim profili, salınım ve kararlılık iyileştirmesi için hedef fonksiyonun çözümünde yeni nesil sezgisel ve aynı zamanda doğrusal olmayan fonksiyonlara uygulanabilir sürü zekâsı temelli Parçacık Sürü Optimizasyon Algoritması ile doğa olayına dayalı Su Döngüsü Algoritması kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, en uygun halde güç akışının gerçekleşebilmesi için gerek şartların ve işletme koşullarının bütün durumlar için sağlandığı ve hedef fonksiyon sonuçlarının hem literatür ile tutarlı hem de kıyaslama yapılan diğer optimizasyon algoritmalarından daha iyi olduğu görülmüştür.Energy demand and efficiency is becoming more and more important nowadays. As a consequence of this continuity situation, transmission of energy produced in thermal, hydroelectric, natural gas and renewable power plants to consumer with minimum loss and maximum efficiency becomes a necessity rather than plus value. Furthermore, roughly more than half of total amount of electrical energy produced in our country is obtained through foreign-dependent fuel type such as natural gas and imported coal. Therefore, mitigation of fuel cost has pretty large importance with regards to national economy. In this thesis study, Optimal Power Flow analysis is performed on IEEE-30 bus Alternating Current power system within capacity constraints for eight different cases independent of each other to provide low-cost and quality energy. Objective functions are solved using new generation heuristic and as well applicable to non-linear functions swarm intelligencebased Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm and nature event-based Water Cycle Algorithm for improvement of three different fuel cost, power loss, voltage profile, emission and stability. As a result of search, it is seen that necessary requirements and operating conditions to perform optimal power flow are ensured for all cases and outcome of each objective function is both consistent with the literature and better than the other optimization algorithms compared to ones employed in this study

Detection of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity with transient evoked otoacoustic emission test before pure tone audiometer

WOS: 000277939700006PubMed: 19946777Our aim was to investigate cisplatin ototoxicity with transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) test before it is seen with pure tone audiometer. In our study, we compared the hearing of the patients who are receiving 100 mg/m(2) 4-cycle cisplatin for lung cancer, with pure tone audiometer and transient evoked otoacoustic emission test in 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz. We found 55% hearing decrease with pure tone audiometer in patients that are receiving 100 mg/m(2) 4-cycle cisplatin for lung cancer. We also established emission amplitude decrease with TEOAE test in 85% of the patients. When we compare the patients' pure tone audiometer in 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz and TEOAE amplitude changes we did not find statistically significant results (P > 0.05), but when we compare the patients' TEOAE amplitude changes in 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz with control group we found statistically significant results (P < 0.05). Our results show that cisplatin ototoxicity could be find out with TEOAE test before it is seen with pure tone audiometer

Rhabdomyoma of the Tonsillar Fossa

Extracardiac rhabdomyomas are very uncommon tumors comprising approximately 2% of the neoplasms of striated muscle origin. The adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma is generally characterized as a slowly growing, usually solitary lesion, which is nearly always found in the head and neck area of elderly persons. The most common reported head and neck subsites are the floor of the Mouth, tongue, palate, lips, and checks. We report all unusual presentation of rhabdomyoma that should be included in the differential diagnosis of tumors presenting as a large tonsillar fossa mass, In our review of the almost 160 clinical notes reported in the literature, oily instances of tonsillar rhabdomyomas were found. The cytologic and immunohistochemical differential diagnoses of this tumor are also discussed

Giant Trichilemmal Cyst at the Neck Region

Trichilemmal cyst (TC) is an adnexal skin tumor that usually occurs on the scalp. There is a female dominance in this tumor. Proliferating pilar tumors or cysts arise from this lesion, and the clinical differential diagnosis from TCs must be taken because of aggressive behavior of proliferating pilar tumor. Trichilemmal cyst usually occurs in hair-bearing areas such as the neck, trunk, groin, and others. In this article, we report a case with giant TC involving the neck region

Hur förändrades bostadspriserna i Marieholm efter en utökad transportmöjlighet?

En ökad transportkommunikation i form av tågstation har visat sig vara en prispåverkande faktor vid bostads- och fastighetsvärdering runt om i hela världen. Denna uppsats syfte är att undersöka hur tillförseln av tågstationen i Marieholm påverkat bostadspriserna. Studien har avgränsats till byn Marieholm som är lokaliserad i utkanten av Eslövs kommun. Mer detaljerat syftar studien till att undersöka hur prisutvecklingen i två olika geografiska områden inom byn påverkats av den ökade transportmöjligheter. Studien är gjord genom analys av kvantitativ data där olika förklarande variabler behandlats genom en hedonisk prismodell. Teorin är baserad på Bid-rent teorin, agglomerationsfördelar samt betalningsvilja. Teorin har kompletterats av olika vetenskapliga studier som tidigare gjorts inom området och sammanfattats i tidigare forskning.I studiens resultat redogörs för en signifikant prisökning efter tillförseln av tågstation inom de båda geografiska områdena. Resultatet visade däremot på en högre ökning av bostadspriserna i den yttre ringen i jämförelse med den inre ringen i Marieholm. Slutsatsen förtydligar att tågstationens tillförseln har inneburit en generell positivt prisutveckling i Marieholm som inte endast beror på tillkomsten av en ny tågstation utan flera olika faktorer.Increased transport communication in the form of a train station has proven to be a price-influencing factor in housing and property valuation around the world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the supply of the train station in Marieholm has affected housing prices. The study has been limited to the village of Marieholm, which is located on the outskirts of Eslöv municipality.In more detail, the study aims to investigate how price developments in two different geographical areas within the village were affected by the increased transport opportunities. The study was made by analyzing quantitative data where various explanatory variables were processed by a hedonic price model. The theory is based on Bid-rent theory, agglomeration advantages and willingness to pay. The theory has been supplemented by various scientific studies that have previously been done in the field and summarized in previous research.The results of the study report a significant price increase after the supply of train stations in the two geographical areas. The conclusion clarifies that the train station's supply has meant a generally positive price development in Marieholm which is not only due to the creation of a new train station but several different factors

Hur förändrades bostadspriserna i Marieholm efter en utökad transportmöjlighet?

En ökad transportkommunikation i form av tågstation har visat sig vara en prispåverkande faktor vid bostads- och fastighetsvärdering runt om i hela världen. Denna uppsats syfte är att undersöka hur tillförseln av tågstationen i Marieholm påverkat bostadspriserna. Studien har avgränsats till byn Marieholm som är lokaliserad i utkanten av Eslövs kommun. Mer detaljerat syftar studien till att undersöka hur prisutvecklingen i två olika geografiska områden inom byn påverkats av den ökade transportmöjligheter. Studien är gjord genom analys av kvantitativ data där olika förklarande variabler behandlats genom en hedonisk prismodell. Teorin är baserad på Bid-rent teorin, agglomerationsfördelar samt betalningsvilja. Teorin har kompletterats av olika vetenskapliga studier som tidigare gjorts inom området och sammanfattats i tidigare forskning.I studiens resultat redogörs för en signifikant prisökning efter tillförseln av tågstation inom de båda geografiska områdena. Resultatet visade däremot på en högre ökning av bostadspriserna i den yttre ringen i jämförelse med den inre ringen i Marieholm. Slutsatsen förtydligar att tågstationens tillförseln har inneburit en generell positivt prisutveckling i Marieholm som inte endast beror på tillkomsten av en ny tågstation utan flera olika faktorer.Increased transport communication in the form of a train station has proven to be a price-influencing factor in housing and property valuation around the world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the supply of the train station in Marieholm has affected housing prices. The study has been limited to the village of Marieholm, which is located on the outskirts of Eslöv municipality.In more detail, the study aims to investigate how price developments in two different geographical areas within the village were affected by the increased transport opportunities. The study was made by analyzing quantitative data where various explanatory variables were processed by a hedonic price model. The theory is based on Bid-rent theory, agglomeration advantages and willingness to pay. The theory has been supplemented by various scientific studies that have previously been done in the field and summarized in previous research.The results of the study report a significant price increase after the supply of train stations in the two geographical areas. The conclusion clarifies that the train station's supply has meant a generally positive price development in Marieholm which is not only due to the creation of a new train station but several different factors

A case of increased intracranial pressure after unilateral modified radical neck dissection

Objective: This study aimed to study case reports and review the world literature concerning increased intracranial pressure secondary to unilateral radical neck dissection