UAV Based Agricultural Planning and Landslide Monitoring

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is finding a wide application field in areas such as map production, land survey, landslide, erosion, agricultural activities, and forest fires monitoring. In this study, an UAV equipped with SONY 6000 camera was used. The flight plan was prepared from 100 m height, and having 80% overlap and 60% sidelap rates. GNSS geodetic receivers and Ground Control Points (GCPs) were observed. GNSS signals were processed with LGO V.8.4 software to receive precise location information. 291 photographs for 50 hectares of landslide area were taken by UAV. All photos were processed by PIX4D software. In the field of the landslide area, 8 GCPs were included in the evaluation. 3D model were produced with pixel matching algorithms. Six period flights in different months were made for the landslide area and ground movements between the periods were observed. During this time interval , the volume of moving soil was determined. At the end of the study, RMSE for soil movement was obtained ±1.79 cm for landslide area. This study demonstrates that UAV-based high resolution orthophoto, 3D terrain model and point cloud data sets can be used to monitor the landslide, especially in micro small areas. It also was revealed that this method has some advantages over other traditional geomatics methods

Further Increase in the Expression of Activation Markers on Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Ectasia Compared to Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Alone

Background. Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized or diffuse dilation of the coronary arteries. There are scarce data about the role of dendritic cells in CAE development. In this study we investigated the activation markers on the surface of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mDCs) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with or without CAE. Method. The study consisted of 6 patients who had obstructive CAD with CAE, 6 CAD patients without CAE and 6 subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries. mDCs were cultivated from peripheral blood monocytes. Surface activation markers were detected by flow cytometry. Results. CAD patients with CAE were detected to have significantly higher mean fluorescence intensities of CD11b, CD11c, CD54 , CD83, CD86 and MHC Class II molecules on mDCs in comparison to CAD patients without CAE and normal controls (P < .001 for all). A significant positive correlation was found between the number of vessels with CAE and the levels of CD11c, CD86, and MHC Class II molecules. Conclusion. mDCs display an increased cell surface concentration of activation molecules in CAD patients with CAE compared to patients with CAD alone. DC activation may play an important role for CAE development in patients with CAD

The Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 in Patients with Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia

Background/Aim. Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered as a variant of atherosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are among the sensitive markers of systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the cytokines; TNF-α and IL-6 in CAE patients. Methods. Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in 36 patients with CAE (28 males, mean age: 58.2 ± 12 years), and results were compared with age and sex-matched controls (n = 32) without coronary artery ectasia. TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in blood were assesed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CAE group than controls (15.6 ± 11.2 pg/mL versus 7.8 ± 3.7 pg/mL, P < .001, and 17.2 ± 12.6 versus 7.6 ± 2.1 P < .0001, resp.). Conclusion. CAE patients showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 levels compared to the controls. This study provides evidence for alterations in the proinflamatory cytokines which suggest the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of CAE. Further placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of this increase in TNF-α and IL-6 levels

Uloga bespilotnih letjelica u praćenju naglih pojava klizišta

This study used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was designed and produced to monitor rapidly occurring landslides in forest areas. It aimed to determine the location data for the study area using image sensors integrated into the UAV. The study area was determined as the landslide sites located in the Taşlıçiftlik campus of Gaziosmanpaşa University, Turkey. It was determined that landslide activities were on going in the determined study area and data was collected regarding the displacement of materials. Additionally, it was observed that data about landslides may be collected in a fast and sensitive way using UAVs, and this method is proposed as a new approach. Flights took place over a total of five different periods. In order to determine the direction and coordinate variables for the developed model, eight Ground Control Points (GCPs), whose coordinates were obtained using the GNSS method, were placed on the study area. In each period, approximately 190 photographs were investigated. The photos obtained were analyzed using the Pix4D software. At the end of each period, the Root Mean Square and Ground Sample Distance (GSD) values of the GCPs were calculated. Orthomosaic and digital surface models (DSM) were produced for the location and height model. The results showed that max RMS=±3.3 cm and max GSD=3.57 cm. When the first and fifth periods were compared, the highest spatial displacement value ΔS=111.0 cm, the highest subsidence value Δh=37.3 cm and the highest swelling value Δh=28.6 cm were measured.U ovom radu korištena je bespilotna letjelica (UAV) koja je dizajnirana i proizvedena za potrebe praćenja nagle pojave klizišta u šumskim područjima. Njezin cilj je određivanje podataka o lokaciji područja istraživanja koristeći slikovne senzore ugrađene u UAV. Područje istraživanja je lokacija klizišta u kampusu Taşlıçiftlik Sveučilišta Gaziosmanpaşa, Turska. Utvrđeno je da se klizišta stalno pojavljuju u području istraživanja, a podaci su prikupljeni na temelju pomaka materijala. Osim toga, ustanovljeno je da se podaci o klizištima mogu prikupljati brzo i precizno koristeći UAV, te je ta metoda predložena kao novi pristup. Letovi su obavljeni kroz pet različitih razdoblja. Kako bi se utvrdile varijable smjera i koordinata za razvijeni model, na području istraživanja, postavljeno je osam stalnih točaka (GCP) čije su koordinate dobivene GNSS metodom. U svakom razdoblju proučeno je otprilike 190 fotografija. Dobivene fotografije su analizirane pomoću softvera Pix4D. Na kraju svakog razdoblja izračunate su vrijednosti Root Mean Square (RMS) i Ground Sample Distance (GSD) za GCP. Ortomozaični i digitalni modeli površine (DSM) izrađeni su za lokacijski i visinski model. Rezultati su pokazali da je maksimalni RMS=±3,3 cm, a maksimalni GSD=3,57 cm. Nakon usporedbe prvog i petog razdoblja, izmjerene su najviša vrijednost prostornog pomaka ΔS=111,0 cm, najviša vrijednost slijeganja Δh=37,3 cm i najviša vrijednost ispupčenosti Δh=28,6 cm

Baby with neonatal systemic juvenile xanthogranuloma born within a cross-cousin marriage

AbstractJuvenile xanthogranuloma is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis seen most commonly in childhood and adolescence. Extracutaneous involvement is rare. We report an interesting and extremely rare case of systemic (skin, lung, spleen, and colon) “juvenile xanthogranuloma” in the neonatal period. Our case was the first ever reported case born to a cross-cousin marriage

Flipping e-Learning for Teaching Medical Terminology: A Study of Learners’ Online Experiences and Perceptions

Since e-Learning has become popular in recent years, research studies have been conducted about which instructional methods are the most effective in online learning environments. The purpose of this study is to apply the flipped classroom model to a Medical Terminology Course that was provided fully online as part of a Medical Documentation and Secretarial associate degree program in a vocational college, and to analyze learners’ experiences associated with this application. Based on this method, as asynchronous activities, learners were required to study interactive multimedia content and applications. For synchronous activities, mainly learner-centered approaches, collaborative learning, problem solving and discussion, led the learning process. In the context of this study, learners’ usage of the system, submissions to the study process questionnaire, and academic achievement were collected as quantitative data; whereas, learners’ opinions towards the flipped classroom model were obtained as qualitative data. Hence, the study was designed as a mixed methods research. According to the results, it was found that learners’ academic achievement significantly related to their perceptions of deep learning and their time spent on learning activities. Moreover, learners indicated problematic aspects to the flipped classroom as time expectancies, insufficiency of instructional materials, and lack of advice received from the instructor

TURKISH JOURNAL of ONCOLOGY Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Single Center Experience

OBJECTIVE Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim of this retrospective study was to explore the characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment results of GIST cases. METHODS Clinical and pathological data of 35 GIST patients at our center between 2002 and 2015 were reviewed. RESULTS Total of 18 (51.4%) were women and 17 (48.6%) were men, with median age of 54 years. Common site of tumor was stomach (48.6%). Abdominal pain (37.1%) was common clinical symptom. Risk group distribution was 8.6% low, 31.4% intermediate, and 60% high-risk cases. Mean follow-up period of the patients was 34 months. Low-risk GIST can be treated with surgery alone. Recurrence was observed in only 1 of 10 patients who received adjuvant treatment. All 6 patients in whom metastasis was determined were in high-risk group, and 4 of them had liver metastasis. Metastasis was not detected in any of the patients who had &lt;5 mitoses per 50 high-power field (HPF), but in 5 of 12 patients who had &gt;10 mitoses per 50 HPF, metastasis was determined. Metastasis did not correlate with site or size of tumor, but was related to high mitotic rate (p=0.015). Median overall survival of the patients was 79 months. CONCLUSION Low-risk GIST can be treated with surgery alone. Imatinib therapy significantly improves survival of high-risk or advanced-stage GIST patients. Metastasis did not correlate with site or size of tumor, but correlation with high mitotic rate was observed

Offspring born to influenza A virus infected pregnant mice have increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections in early life

Influenza during pregnancy can affect the health of offspring in later life, among which neurocognitive disorders are among the best described. Here, we investigate whether maternal influenza infection has adverse effects on immune responses in offspring. We establish a two-hit mouse model to study the effect of maternal influenza A virus infection (first hit) on vulnerability of offspring to heterologous infections (second hit) in later life. Offspring born to influenza A virus infected mothers are stunted in growth and more vulnerable to heterologous infections (influenza B virus and MRSA) than those born to PBS- or poly(I:C)-treated mothers. Enhanced vulnerability to infection in neonates is associated with reduced haematopoetic development and immune responses. In particular, alveolar macrophages of offspring exposed to maternal influenza have reduced capacity to clear second hit pathogens. This impaired pathogen clearance is partially reversed by adoptive transfer of alveolar macrophages from healthy offspring born to uninfected dams. These findings suggest that maternal influenza infection may impair immune ontogeny and increase susceptibility to early life infections of offspring

Comprehensive analysis via exome sequencing uncovers genetic etiology in autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness in a large multiethnic cohort

Purpose:Autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness (ARNSD) is characterized by a high degree of genetic heterogeneity, with reported mutations in 58 different genes. This study was designed to detect deafness-causing variants in a multiethnic cohort with ARNSD by using whole-exome sequencing (WES).Methods:After excluding mutations in the most common gene, GJB2, we performed WES in 160 multiplex families with ARNSD from Turkey, Iran, Mexico, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico to screen for mutations in all known ARNSD genes.Results:We detected ARNSD-causing variants in 90 (56) families, 54 of which had not been previously reported. Identified mutations were located in 31 known ARNSD genes. The most common genes with mutations were MYO15A (13), MYO7A (11), SLC26A4 (10), TMPRSS3 (9), TMC1 (8), ILDR1 (6), and CDH23 (4). Nine mutations were detected in multiple families with shared haplotypes, suggesting founder effects.Conclusion:We report on a large multiethnic cohort with ARNSD in which comprehensive analysis of all known ARNSD genes identifies causative DNA variants in 56 of the families. In the remaining families, WES allows us to search for causative variants in novel genes, thus improving our ability to explain the underlying etiology in more families.Genet Med 18 4, 364-371. © American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics