"Estimating the Impact of the Recent Economic Crisis on Work Time in Turkey"

This paper provides estimates of the impact of the recent economic crisis on paid and unpaid work time in Turkey. The data used in this study come from the first and only time-use survey available at the national level. Infrequency of collection of time-use data in Turkey does not allow us to make a direct comparison of pre- versus postcrisis time-use patterns. We introduce a tractable way for estimating these possible effects by measuring the impact of an increase in unemployment risk on time-use patterns of women and men living in couple households. The method developed here can be applied to other developing-country cases where there is a lack of longitudinal data availability. Our findings support the argument that economic crises reinforce the preexisting gender inequalities in work time.Economic Crisis; Gender Inequality; Time Use; Unemployment Risk; Unpaid Work; Turkey

Yarn twist measurement using digital imaging

Digital image analysis techniques in the spatial and frequency domains for twist measurement of yarns are described. A spatial technique is developed to extract the twist angle through the analysis of the yarn core image. Then, a Fourier transformation technique is applied to yarn images to measure the orientation of the fibre on the yarn surface. Finally, a hybrid method that incorporates frequency domain filtering prior to spatial analysis is proposed. The trials show that spatial analysis is a fast method and can successfully predict the twist in the yarn. Fourier transformation technique is quite sensitive to the protruding fibres obstructing the yarn surface, which may result in measurements having high variations. For yarns having little amount of hairs protruding from the core, the results agreed reasonably well with actual twist levels. Frequency domain filtering in conjunction with the spatial analysis of the yarn surface is found to be superior in terms of accuracy. The twist values calculated using the more reliable diameter measurements with back-lit images together with twist angles from the front-lit images are found to be more accurate when compared with the actual values

Simulation of photosensor-based hairiness measurement using digital image analysis

The hair-counting technique using photosensors is a common method to measure the hairiness of the yarns. However, the literature recognizes some deficiencies of the technique regarding the sensor limitations. This paper describes a computer vision approach to simulate the photosensors and to investigate the parameters effecting the hairiness measurement when using these sensors. An algorithm developed to simulate the photosensor signals is explained. The effects of sensor resolution, signal threshold level and selection of zero reference positions from the core are investigated. The correlation between the measurements taken from two different sides of the yarn core is also examined. Twenty yarn samples are tested using a Zweigle G565 hairiness tester, and the results are compared with the hairiness measurements from the simulated photosensor system using digital images

Digital image processing and illumination techniques for yarn characterization

This paper describes various illumination and image pro- cessing techniques for yarn characterization. Darkfield and back-lit illuminations are compared in terms of depth of field tolerance and image quality. Experiments show that back-lit illumination is superior in terms of depth of field tolerance and contrast. Three different back-lit illumination configurations are studied: one simply employ- ing a light source placed behind the yarn, the other incorporating a field lens to increase the light intensity passing through the aperture, and the third using a mirror placed at 45° to the optical axis to enable imaging of two orthogonal views of the yarn core. Problems in defining the hair–core boundaries in high resolution yarn pictures are addressed and a filtering process is introduced for back-lit im- ages. A comparison of the diameter and diameter coefficient of variation percentage measurements for different illumination and im- age processing techniques is given for several yarn samples. The data are also correlated with Premier 7000 diametric irregularity tester and Uster Tester 3 irregularity measurements. © 2005 SPIE and IS&T

Hair density distribution profile to evaluate yarn hairiness and its application to fabric simulations

This paper describes a new method for yarn hairiness evaluation that calculates the hair densities at varying distances from the yarn core using an image processing technique. The method is based on integrating the number of pixels for distances incremented by a pixel size from the yarn core edge. The experiments with various yarns showed that the hair density distribution profile (HDDP) exhibits two different exponential behaviors one below and the other above approximately 0.75 mm from the core. A total hairiness index (THw) is also calculated using the total number of hair pixels. A good correlation is observed between the proposed THw and Uster’s H index especially for grey cotton and cotton/polyester samples. A novel technique that generates realistic yarn simulations using the total hairiness and the hairiness distribution data along with the diametric irregularity is introduced. The simulations created are compared with actual yarn images in a qualitative manner. A simple single jersey knitted fabric simulation algorithm is also described utilizing the yarn simulation including hair distribution data, which gives a more realistic simulated fabric appearance

Patterning servo-mechanism for a circular warp knitting machine

Warp knitting is always performed on flat (linear) knitting machines. A circular warp-knitting machine is recently made possible by using a novel concept of a conical needle bed and patterning cams with enclosed cam followers to drive the patterning rings. This also requires a mechanical linkage to transmit the motion from the patterning cam to the patterning rings, which is prone to vibration at undesirable levels. A new generation design replaces the mechanical cam and linkage with high-speed AC brushless servomotors enabling limitless precision patterning possibilities. A method of selecting servomotors based on minimising the power required to perform the fastest motion required for a given application is reported. This method ensures cost minimising by selecting the smallest servomotor suitable for a given application. A circular warp-knitting machine using servomotor to drives selected using the method reported is designed, built and successfully tested

Muscular cystic hydatidosis: case report

BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and ingesting eggs released through the faeces from infected dogs infects humans. The location of the hydatid cysts is mostly hepatic and/or pulmonary, whereas musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of primary muscular hydatidosis in proximity of the big adductor in a young Sicilian man. The patient, 34 years old, was admitted to the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases for ultrasonographic detection, with successive confirmation by magnetic resonance imaging, of an ovular mass (13 × 8 cm) in the big adductor of the left thigh, cyst-like, and containing several small cystic formations. Serological tests for hydatidosis gave negative results. A second drawing of blood was done 10 days after the first one and showed an increase in the antibody titer for hydatidosis. The patient was submitted to surgical excision of the lesion with perioperatory prophylaxis with albendazole. The histopathological examination of the bioptic material was not diriment in the diagnosis, therefore further tests were performed: additional serological tests for hydatidosis for the evaluation of IgE and IgG serotype (Western Blot and REAST), and molecular analysis of the excised material. These more specific serological tests gave positive results for hydatidosis, and the sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products from the cyst evidenced E. granulosus DNA, genotype G1. Any post-surgery complications was observed during 6 following months. CONCLUSION: Cystic hydatidosis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cystic mass, regardless of its location, also in epidemiological contests less suggestive of the disease. The diagnosis should be achieved by taking into consideration the clinical aspects, the epidemiology of the disease, the imaging and immunological tests but, as demonstrated in this case, without neglecting the numerous possibilities offered by new serological devices and modern day molecular biology techniques

Primary subcutaneous cyst hydatic disease in proximal thigh: an unusual localisation: a case report

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare and represents 1% – 5.4% of all cases of echinococcosis. On clinical basis, infection mimics a soft-tissue tumor, and the preoperative radiological diagnosis is very important to avoid biopsy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of primary subcutaneous hydatidosis in proximity to vastus lateralis muscle. It was diagnosed according to the computed tomography appearance, clinical and pathological findings. A 43 year old female patient was admitted with a history of pain at proximal thigh for the last 30 days. On physical examination, a mass which was 4 × 5 cm in diameter, painful and erythamatous, was palpated over greater trochanter. Sedimentation rate was 40 mm in the first hour. CT (Computed Tomography) scan demonstrated, a soft tissue mass with central cystic component in the subcutaneous tissue near vastus lateralis muscle. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a pericystic structure, which consisted of connective tissue and scattered hyaline cells showing a necrotic basophilic structure that resembled a cuticular membrane. Treatment with high dose albendazole was conducted for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that echinococcal disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every cystic mass in every anatomic location, especially when they occur in areas where the disease is endemic