Optical diagnostics for structural health monitoring of inaccessible systems

The work in this thesis is concerned with the development of optical sensors for the structural health monitoring of systems with inaccessible components in the presence of ionising radiation. Two primary approaches to determine structural health are investigated, these being the implementation of distance measurement sensors (to assess, for example, the occurrence of creep/cracking) and gas sensors (to assess the occurrence of outgassing which can be indicative of chemical ageing). Distance measurement sensors are developed using fibre optic Fabry-Pérot interferometry (FPI) measured in reflection. A fast-Fourier transform (FFT) of the reflected interference spectrum is incorporated to demodulate the signal and extract cavity length information. To mitigate noise and enhance measurement accuracy and sensitivity, spectrum reconstruction in the form of a function-fitting algorithm (FFA) is developed, the input of which is fed by the FFT output. The FFA demonstrates measurement improvements of approximately one-and-a-half orders of magnitude. To situate the fibre FPI sensors within spatially confined, closely positioned components, turning mirrors are fabricated on two cores of multi-core fibre (MCF) which redirect the fibre-guided light perpendicular to the fibre axis in opposite directions. This allows for the absolute distance between component parts to be determined as Fabry-Pérot cavities are formed on both sides of the MCF. Three different turning-mirror fabrication processes are developed, the results from each are compared and discussed. The distance measurement capabilities are expanded to that of a two-point measurement system to allow for tilt measurement competencies. This facilitates further comprehensiveness with regards to structural health monitoring. Further, two optical gas sensors are investigated, both based on the principle of absorption spectroscopy. One consists of evanescent wave generation in a tapered fibre and the other of incoherent broadband cavity-enhancement. Modelled and experimental results are presented and limitations are discussed

Traumatic Dental Injuries Occurred in Primary Teeth and their Sequel Effects on the Developmental Permanent Successors: A Controlled Study

Objective: To examine the types of traumatic dental injuries of the primary teeth (TDI-p) and the long-term sequelae on permanent dentition (LSP) comparing with a control group (CG). In addition, a questionnaire that measures parents' knowledge and awareness was used. Material and Methods: The trauma group (TG) consisted of permanent teeth following TDI-p exposed teeth, while the CG consisted of permanent teeth following unexposed teeth with TDI-p of the same patients. In total, 141 teeth were evaluated in 27 patients. Data concerning such as teeth, when TDI-p occurred, types of treatments and types of LSP were collected. Chi-square test was used for intergroup comparison for gender, type of trauma, LSP, age of trauma and parameters in the parental information questionnaire. Significance level was p<0.05. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the analysis between TG and CG (p<0.001). The prevalence of LSP due to TDI-p was 29.6% and the prevalence of sequelae in CG was 7.4%. The most common LSP was enamel hypoplasia (14.8%). Parents were aware of the importance of TDI-p, and they had insufficient knowledge about its management. Conclusion: TDI-p can be considered a high-risk factor in the development of LSP. Also, the lack of knowledge in parents should be supported by software-based application systems to be developed

ÖĞRETMEN ADAYLARININ KAVRAM HARİTALARININ ARAYÜZ TASARIMLARINDAKİ GÖRSEL TERCİHLERİ

Bu araştırmanın amacı, öğretmen adaylarının kavram haritalarını hazırlarken, kavram ve kavramlar arası ilişkileri temsilen kullandıkları görsel element tercihlerini incelemektir. Haritaların son zamanlarda ders kitaplarında ve elektronik öğrenme ortamlarında (uzaktan eğitim, öğretim yazılımları, vb.) sıkça kullanılmaları düşünüldüğünde, arayüz tercihlerinin bilinmesi öğretim materyalinin öğrencilerin bireysel farklılıklarına hitap etmesini kolaylaştıracaktır. Araştırmada, nitel araştırma paradigmasına dayalı bütüncül tek durum inceleme (örnek olay) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Teknik Eğitim Fakültesi, 2007-2008 öğretim yılı Öğretimde Planlama ve Değerlendirme dersini alan 117 öğrencinin yaptığı kavram haritalarından elde edilen veriler incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda öğrencilerin harita hazırlama şekli, kavram ilişkilerini belirleme ve görsel olarak temsilleme tercihleri incelenerek öğretim materyalleri geliştirme açısından tartışılmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur

The effect of glycemic control on salivary antimicrobial peptide levels in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Amaç: İnsan beta-defensinler (hBD) ve kathelisin (LL-37) homeostazın sağlanmasında önemli ve çoklu görevler alırlar. Oral ve periodontal doku ve sıvılarda, Tip 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) ile bu peptidler arasındaki ilişki net değildir. Çalışmamızın amacı, T2DM’li bireylerde glisemik kontrol seviyesinin, salya hBD ve LL-37 konsantrasyonu üzerine olan etkisinin incelenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 178 birey dahil edilmiştir. Demografik veriler, dental ve medikal geçmişler sözlü olarak elde edilmiştir. Glisemik kontrol seviyeleri için açlık kan şekeri ve glikolize hemoglobin (HbA1c) değerleri ölçülmüştür. Tüm ağız periodontal indeks değerleri ölçülerek panaromik filmler yardımıyla periodontal teşhisler yapılmıştır. Bireylerden stimüle olmayan yöntemle salya örnekleri toplanmış ve ELISA tekniği ile salya hBD -1, -2, -3, LL-37 ve ileri glikolizasyon son ürünü (AGE) değerleri ölçülmüştür. Bulgular: Dişeti sağlıklı bireylerden oluşan gruplar arasında ve kontrollü T2DM bireylerin salya hBD seviyelerinin diğer gruplara oranla anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. (p<0.001) Periodontitisli ve kontrollü T2DM’li bireylerin salya hBD seviyelerinin ise; diğer periodontitisli gruplara göre anlamlı derecede düşük olduğu tespit edilmiştir. (p<0.001). Salya LL-37 değerleri incelendiğinde ise; hem dişeti sağlıklı hem de periodontitisli bireylerden oluşan gruplarda, kontrolsüz T2DM’li bireylerden oluşan gruplarda en yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. (p<0.001, p<0.001, sırasıyla) Korelasyon analizlerine göre, periodontitisli ve kontrollü T2DM’li bireylerin salya hBD-1, -2, -3 değerleri salya AGE miktarı ile negatif korelasyon gösterirken (r=-0.411 p=0.020, r=-0.389 p=0.028, r=-0.344 p=0.044, sırasıyla) LL-37 miktarı pozitif korelasyon göstermektedir (r=0.601 p=<0.001). Sonuç: Glisemik kontrol salya hBD ve LL-37 konsantrasyonu üzerinde bağımsız bir belirteçtir.Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dentists’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding dental trauma in Rize Province. Materials and Methods: Total of 121 dentists, 73 females and 48 males, were included in this study. A questionnaire consisted of 34 questions and three sections was applied face to face. Personal and professional knowledge and attitudes about dental trauma were evaluated. The association between the dentists at different education level and trauma intervention were analyzed with chi-square test. Results: Most of general dentists (48.1%), postgraduate students (69.6%) and specialists (53.3%) preferred composite, fiber and ligature wire as splint materials, respectively (p<0.001). There was statistically significant association between dental education level with permanent extrusion (p = 0.004) and avulsion cases with closed apex in dry environ ment less than 1 hour (p = 0.004) and more than 1 hour (p<0.001) outside the mouth, enamel fracture of permanent tooth (p = 0.027) and alveolar fracture (p = 0.013), primary tooth extrusion (p = 0.013), and avulsion injuries (p = 0.017). Also, statistically significant relationship was found between dental education level and management of enamel fracture (p<0.001), uncomplicated crown fracture (p<0.001), intrusion (p = 0.018) along with alveolar fracture (p = 0.002) injuries. Conclusion: Dentists had sufficient knowledge about dental trauma but avoided intervention in various types of traumatic dental injuries. With in the limits of this study, additional theoretical and practical training on the emergency treatment of cases.may be recommended

Elevated Blood Lead Concentrations in Essential Tremor: A Case–Control Study in Mersin, Turkey

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common neurologic disorders. Aside from underlying susceptibility genes, recent studies have also begun to focus on environmental toxic factors. Yet there remains a paucity of information on such factors, making studies of environmental factors important. A recent study in New York City found blood lead concentrations to be elevated in ET cases compared with matched controls. Chronic exposure to lead produces cerebellar damage, and this could predispose individuals to develop ET

Aktivna deformacija Zemljine površine utvrđena preciznim nivelmanskim premjerom u Afyon-Akşehir grabenu u Zapadnoj Anadoliji u Turskoj

In the actively deforming region of western Anatolia, crustal deformation is accommodated by destructive earthquakes and a variety of aseismic events. In this study, we investigated the 2016–2017 aseismic sequence located in the Bolvadin Fault, one of the segments of the Akşehir-Simav Fault System of western Anatolia by analysing surface deformation derived from detailed geological mapping. Our findings suggest that surface deformation in the Bolvadin Fault is accommodated by aseismic episodes. During the field studies in the Bolvadin area, progressive surface deformations, such as surface faults and earth fissures with a length of 800 meters to 3 kilometres and strike of N15°E to N70°E were mapped on a 1/5000 scale. Furthermore, a levelling network was established to calculate the vertical displacements and deformation rate along the surface deformations. Precision level measurements were undertaken in 2016 and 2017. On the routes to the NW of the Bolvadin settlement, a vertical deformation rate of 30 mm/yr was detected in the period of 2016–2017, and a large deformation rate of 40 mm/yr was detected in the same period.Aktivna deformacija Zemljine kore se u regiji Zapadne Anadolije kompenzira razornim potresima i drugim seizmičkim događajima. U ovom smo radu na temelju detaljnog geološkog kartiranja analizirali deformaciju površine kako bismo proučili niza seizmičkih događaja u razdoblju 2016.–2017. na lokaciji rasjeda Bolvadin, jednoga od segmenata rasjednoga sustava Akşehir-Simav u Zapadnoj Anadoliji. Naši rezultati ukazuju na to da se površinska deformacije kompenzira tijekom aseizmičkih epizoda. Tijekom terenskih istraživanja u području Bolvadin, progresivne su površinske deformacije, poput površinskih rasjeda ili pukotina duljina od 800 m do 3 km, pružanja N15°E do N70°E, kartirane u mjerilu 1:5 000. Nadalje, uspostavljena je nivelmanska mreža kako bi se izmjerila brzina pomaka i deformacija. Precizna nivelmanska mjerenja izvedena su 2016. i 2017. godine. Na pravcima usmjerenima SZ od naselja Bolvadin, ustanovljena je brzina vertikalne deformacije od 30 mm/god., a u istom je razdoblju izmjerena i velika brzina deformacije od 40 mm/god

Inclusive search for supersymmetry using razor variables in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe

Prospective Observational Study on acute Appendicitis Worldwide (POSAW)

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical disease, and appendectomy is the treatment of choice in the majority of cases. A correct diagnosis is key for decreasing the negative appendectomy rate. The management can become difficult in case of complicated appendicitis. The aim of this study is to describe the worldwide clinical and diagnostic work-up and management of AA in surgical departments.Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study was performed in 116 worldwide surgical departments from 44 countries over a 6-month period (April 1, 2016-September 30, 2016). All consecutive patients admitted to surgical departments with a clinical diagnosis of AA were included in the study.Results: A total of 4282 patients were enrolled in the POSAW study, 1928 (45%) women and 2354 (55%) men, with a median age of 29 years. Nine hundred and seven (21.2%) patients underwent an abdominal CT scan, 1856 (43.3%) patients an US, and 285 (6.7%) patients both CT scan and US. A total of 4097 (95.7%) patients underwent surgery; 1809 (42.2%) underwent open appendectomy and 2215 (51.7%) had laparoscopic appendectomy. One hundred eighty-five (4.3%) patients were managed conservatively. Major complications occurred in 199 patients (4.6%). The overall mortality rate was 0.28%.Conclusions: The results of the present study confirm the clinical value of imaging techniques and prognostic scores. Appendectomy remains the most effective treatment of acute appendicitis. Mortality rate is low.</p

Global validation of the WSES Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections : a prospective multicentre study (WISS Study)

Background: To validate a new practical Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) including the clinical conditions at the admission (severe sepsis/septic shock), the origin of the cIAIs, the delay in source control, the setting of acquisition and any risk factors such as age and immunosuppression. Methods: The WISS study (WSES cIAIs Score Study) is a multicenter observational study underwent in 132 medical institutions worldwide during a four-month study period (October 2014-February 2015). Four thousand five hundred thirty-three patients with a mean age of 51.2 years (range 18-99) were enrolled in the WISS study. Results: Univariate analysis has shown that all factors that were previously included in the WSES Sepsis Severity Score were highly statistically significant between those who died and those who survived (p <0.0001). The multivariate logistic regression model was highly significant (p <0.0001, R-2 = 0.54) and showed that all these factors were independent in predicting mortality of sepsis. Receiver Operator Curve has shown that the WSES Severity Sepsis Score had an excellent prediction for mortality. A score above 5.5 was the best predictor of mortality having a sensitivity of 89.2 %, a specificity of 83.5 % and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.4. Conclusions: WSES Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated Intra-abdominal infections can be used on global level. It has shown high sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio that may help us in making clinical decisions.Peer reviewe