Cutting Tool Condition Monitoring Using Surface Texture via Neural Network

For defining surface finish and monitoring tool wear is essential for optimisation of machining parameters and performing automated manufacturing systems. There is very close relationship between tool wear and surface finish parameters as surface roughness (Ra,) and maximum depth of profile (Rt). The machined surface reflects the rate of tool wear and the plot of surface pmvides reliable information about tool condition. In this paper an approach for estimating Ra,and Rt in milling process using the artificial neural networks is proposed. Feed-forward multi-layered neural networks, trained by the back-propagation algorithm are used. In training phase seven input parameters (v, f, d, Fx, Fy, Fz and Vb) and two output parameters are used and the network architecture is as 7x6x6x6x2. It was found that the ANN results are very close to the experimental resuks. The developed model can be used to define the quality of surface finish in tool condition monitoring systems

Relationships between Some Maternal Factors and Pregnancy Outcome

The impact of some maternal factors on birth weight and on length of gestation was investigated in a group of Istanbul women of low socioeconomic level and their infants. Reported values for prepregnancy body weight and postpartum measurements of stature, weight, mid-upper arm circumference showed that the women in this series did not have caloric undernutrition, while nearly 9% were of low stature. Anthropomet­ric measurements of the infants, the frequency of low birth weight (LBW) and of small for gestational age births agreed with those reported for affluent societies. Maternal stature, postpartum body weight and postpartum weight/height2 values were found to be important determinants of birth weight. Frequency of preterm births was relatively high, but not found to be related to maternal stature, weight/height2 ratio or mid-upper arm circum­ference. A higher frequency of LBW was found among infants of hyperten­sive mothers. Smoking during pregnancy encountered in a small number of women in this series could not be shown to have a significant effect on birth weight. Low birth weight, preterm birth and fetal malnutrition are among major risk factors influencing perinatal, neonatal and postneonatal mor­tality and morbidity. Global figures indicate a high incidence of low birth weight (LBW) babies for developing countries. It is also reported that the majority of LBW babies in such countries are born at term, the state of fetal malnutrition being mainly due to poor maternal health and nutrition before or during pregnancy (Bergner and Susser 1970; Hytten and Leitch 1971; National Center for Health Statistics 1972; Malcolm 1974; Metcoff 1978; World Health Statistics Quarterly 1980; Shah 1983).Information on birth weight, incidence of LBW and of preterm births are not included in the official health statistics in Turkey. Limited studies indicate that mean birth weight in Turkish infants is comparable to Western European and North American standards (Babson, Berman and Lessel 1970; Brandt 1978; Hamill et al. 1979; Ozalp et al. 1981; Neyzi et al. 1985).This study, carried out on mother-infant pairs in obstetric hospitals in Istanbul, was designed to investigate the impact of some maternal param­eters on pregnancy outcome as well as to provide information on birth weight, incidence of LBW, of preterm birth and of small for gestational age (SGA) birth

Gamma-amino butyric acid metabolism under high temperature stress in two lichen species

WOS: 000448772700013High temperature stress is a major environmental stress factor for all photosynthetic organisms. Some lichen species could have the ability of tolerance against global warming. In the present study, we investigated the effects of high temperature on GABA metabolism in two different lichen species Evernia prunastri and Usnea sp.. Evernia and Usnea sp. were collected from unpolluted locations in Bilecik, TURKEY. Evernia and Usnea sp. were kept at 45 degrees C for 0, 24 and 48 h. We analyzed GABA content, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activities and also chlorophyll and MDA contents in the thalli of the lichens. The chlorophyll degradation and lipid peroxidation data indicated that E. prunastri thalli showed tolerance to high temperature while Usnea sp. thalli were found to be sensitive under these conditions. GABA content was enhanced by high temperature stress in E. prutastri thalli, while GAD and GDH activities were decreased. According to our results, we can suggest that GABA accumulation in lichen thalli could occur via different metabolic pathways

Relationship between smoking history and functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Kronik obstrüktif akciǧer hastalarinda sigara öyküsü ve fonksiyonel kapasite arasindaki ilişki

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a health problem characterized by airflow limitation with resultant effects on respiratory system and other body systems. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between smoking history and functional capacity in patients with COPD. Materials and methods: Twenty-one patients with clinically stable COPD participated in this study. Patients' demographics, physical and physiological characteristics, duration from the diagnosis, and smoking history were recorded. Pulmonary function test and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed. Oxygen saturation using pulse oximeter and dyspnea and fatigue perception using modified Borg Scale were recorded before and after the 6MWT. Results: The mean age of the COPD patients was 59.4±8.8 years. The mean smoking history was 41.6±20.5 pack-years. Eight patients (38.1%) were current smokers. The mean forced expiratory volume in one second was 40.1±13.2% and the mean 6MWT distance was 477.0±104.4 m. Smoking history was significantly related with 6MWT distance (r=-0.47) and fatigue perception during exercise (r=0.52) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Prolonged smoking affects functional capacity and fatigue perception during exercise in patients with COPD. Smoking cessation should be a priority in the management of the patients with COPD

Outcomes of first-line long-acting octreotide treatment in non-functional, advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi.Purpose: Benefits of somatostatin analogues have been mostly studied in mixed samples of patients including both functional and non-functional neuroendocrine tumors. This study aimed to examine the response of patients with non-functional metastatic or inoperable gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that received first-line treatment with the somatostatin analogue octreotide LAR. Methods: The medical records of 23 patients with locally inoperable or metastatic non-functional neuroendocrine tumors who received octreotide LAR (long acting release) treatment were retrospectively reviewed for clinical data and disease course. All patients had received first-line octreotide LAR 30 mg for 4 weeks. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively