Assessment of Turkish HR Professionals on Determining the Importance of Factors in Point Factor as a Method of Job Evaluation

Job evaluation is a procedure for assessing the relative jobs with a view to differentiating jobs to positions. In this study, it is aimed to redetermine the importance of main and sub factors used in point factor method which is one of job evaluation methods by human resource professionals located in different sectors based on the manifacturing sector. The determining factors importance is a phenomenon open to subjective judgments. Also, with some developments such as change of technology and ways of doing business, factors weights should be redetermined or updated now and again. So, it is thought that the explore of reviews from different parties (job evaluation experts, technical managers, HR professionals, employees, etc.) about importance of all factors is very important. Accordingly, data about importance of factors were received from 40 human resource professionals through survey method and they were analyzed by analytic hierarchy process. At the end of research, similar results to job evaluation scale generated and used by Turkish Metal Industry Employer’s Union (MESS) were achieved. However, it was found that “education and basic knowledge” which was the most important sub factor in job evaluation scale developed by Turkish Metal Industry Employer’s Union was least important sub factor as result of study. Keywords: job evaluation, point factor method, analytic hierarchy process, multi criteria decision making, Turkish HR professionals

Aort Koarktasyonu Tanısıyla Cerrahi Düzeltme Uygulanan Hastalarda Rekoarktasyon Gelişimi Üzerine Etki Eden Faktörler

Amaç: Çalışmamızda, aort koarktasyonu (AK) tanısıyla opere edilmiş hastalarda rekoarktasyon gelişimi üzerine etki eden faktörler araştırılmış ve elde edilen sonuçlar ışığında, rekoarktasyon oranlarının azaltılmasına katkıda bulunulması hedeflenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu retrospektif çalşmaya, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği’nde 1977-2010 arasında AK tanısıyla cerrahi düzeltme yapılan 358 hastadan, verilerine tam olarak ulaşılabilen ve düzenli olarak takiplerine gelmiş olan 217 hasta dahil edildi. Rekoarktasyon gelişen olgularda cerrahi düzeltme esnasındaki yaş, vücut ağırlığı ve kullanılan cerrahi tekniklerin sonuçları karşılaştırıldı. Veriler istatistiksel olarak değerlendirildi. Kategorik değişkenler için tanımlayıcı istatistikler sayı (n) ve yüzde (%) olarak belirtildi. Sonuçlar ortalama±standart sapma ve/veya yüzde (frekans) cinsinden sunuldu. Alfa anlamlılık değeri <0,05 olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular: Hastaların 147’si (%67,7) erkek, 70’i (%32,3) kadındı. Doksan (%41,4) hasta basit koarktasyon, 127 (%58,6) hasta ise koarktasyon ve eşlik eden kompleks intrakardiyak anomaliler tanıları ile opere edildi. Otuz altı hastada (%16,5) rekoarktasyon tespit edildi. Rekoarktasyon tespit edilen 36 hastadan 21’i (%58,3) balon anjiyoplasti, 10’u (%27,7) cerrahi, 5’i stent implantasyonu (%13,8) ile tedavi edildi. Sonuç: Çalışmamızda vücut ağırlığı <3 kg ve yaşı <1 yaş olan hasta grubunda rekoarktasyon gelişimi istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur. Kullanılan cerrahi teknikler arasındaysa istatistiksel bir anlam tespit edilmemiştir. AK nedeni ile opere edilecek hasta gruplarında vücut ağırlığı <3 kg ve yaşı <1 yaş olan hasta gruplarının post operatif takiplerinde rekoarktasyon gelişimi açısından daha dikkatli olunması gerekmektedir

Text Mining the History of Medicine

Historical text archives constitute a rich and diverse source of information, which is becoming increasingly readily accessible, due to large-scale digitisation efforts. However, it can be difficult for researchers to explore and search such large volumes of data in an efficient manner. Text mining (TM) methods can help, through their ability to recognise various types of semantic information automatically, e.g., instances of concepts (places, medical conditions, drugs, etc.), synonyms/variant forms of concepts, and relationships holding between concepts (which drugs are used to treat which medical conditions, etc.). TM analysis allows search systems to incorporate functionality such as automatic suggestions of synonyms of user-entered query terms, exploration of different concepts mentioned within search results or isolation of documents in which concepts are related in specific ways. However, applying TM methods to historical text can be challenging, according to differences and evolutions in vocabulary, terminology, language structure and style, compared to more modern text. In this article, we present our efforts to overcome the various challenges faced in the semantic analysis of published historical medical text dating back to the mid 19th century. Firstly, we used evidence from diverse historical medical documents from different periods to develop new resources that provide accounts of the multiple, evolving ways in which concepts, their variants and relationships amongst them may be expressed. These resources were employed to support the development of a modular processing pipeline of TM tools for the robust detection of semantic information in historical medical documents with varying characteristics. We applied the pipeline to two large-scale medical document archives covering wide temporal ranges as the basis for the development of a publicly accessible semantically-oriented search system. The novel resources are available for research purposes, while the processing pipeline and its modules may be used and configured within the Argo TM platform

Surgical management of mandibular and maxillary central giant cell granuloma

Abstract Background Central giant cell granuloma is a benign intraosseous lesion of bone. It frequently affects the head and neck region, particularly the maxillary and mandibular bones. Despite the availability of various nonsurgical treatment options, surgery is still the most effective treatment option for granulomas that do not respond to medical treatment, cause significant bone deformities, or result in extensive bleeding. In this article, we aimed to show the importance of surgery in certain patients by sharing our experience with five patients who were operated on in our clinic. Case presentation In this case series, five patients who attended our clinic with central giant cell granuloma disease and underwent surgical treatments were retrospectively evaluated utilizing the hospital database records. Demographic and medical information, symptoms at admission, the results of CT and MRI imaging, pathologic results, previous treatments, and the surgical therapy performed at our clinic were all considered. Surgical procedures were performed in five patients; marginal mandibulectomy in two, segmental mandibulectomy in one, and partial maxillectomy in the other two. The granulation tissues in the cavity were removed using curettage and a diamond burr. Primary suture, secondary healing, palatal obturator repair, and free fibula flap reconstruction techniques were performed. Conclusions The objective of surgical therapy for central giant cell granuloma is to remove the mass with appropriate surgery and repair it properly with the least amount of morbidity and risk of recurrence possible

Biosorption of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Nonliving Scenedesmus Quadricauda Biomass

In present study, biosorptions of lead (II), cadmium (II), cobalt (II) and chromium (III) ions from water were studied and dead algae biomass (Scenedesmus quadricauda Chodat) was used as natural and biological sorbents. The effects of pH, contact time and metal concentration on the biosorption capacity were investigated. The maximum biosorption capacities for Co (II), Cr (III), Cd (II) and Pb (II) were found to be 32.8, 20.3, 63.9 and 123.0 mg/g, respectively. The experiments showed that when pH increased, an increase in the biosorption capacity of the biomass was observed. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were applied to experimental equilibrium data of metal ions adsorption and the value of RL for Co (II), Cr (III), Cd (II) and Pb (II) was found to be 0.639, 0.580, 0.915 and 0.949, respectively. The algae biomass was effectively used as a sorbent for removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions

Predictors For Progression Of Tricuspid Insufficiency Following Left-Sided Valvular Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The operative indications for severe tricuspid insufficiency in patients undergoing left-sided valvular surgery are well defined; however, for mild and moderate insufficiency, the findings are still controversial. In this study, we aimed to document the prognostic parameters for progression of tricuspid insufficiency in patients undergoing left-sided valvular surgery. Methods: 135 patients undergoing mitral valve +/- coronary bypass surgery were retrospectively examined. Patients with simultaneous tricuspid valve surgery were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings were recorded and the relationship with progression of tricuspid insufficiency was studied. Results: Valvular pathology was rheumatic in origin in 72.6% of patients. Tricuspid insufficiency was progressed in 69 (51.1%) of patients, while it did not change in 66 (48.9%) patients. Echocardiographic parameters recorded during follow-up revealed that left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased, while there was no significant change in right ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Tricuspid insufficiency was directly related with right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P<.05), while no relationship was documented with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. There was a statistically significant correlation between postoperative progression of tricuspid insufficiency and left atrial diameter; however, no relationship was documented with age, sex, valvular disease etiology, comorbidities, or preoperative atrial fibrillation. Risk factor analysis revealed that left atrial diameter was the only prognostic factor. Conclusion: The indications for mild and moderate tricuspid insufficiency are still not clear for patients undergoing left-sided valvular surgery. In this study, we documented that left atrial dilatation was a prognostic factor for progression of postoperative tricuspid insufficiency. In this group of patients, presence of left atrial dilatation may be an indication for tricuspid valve intervention.WoSScopu

Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy in Pediatric Patients: Report of Three Cases

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which occurs due to impartial resolution of the pulmonary thrombus, is a rare type of pulmonary hypertension. However, most patients have an excellent long-term survival following pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). Pulmonary emboli and associated CTEPH is unusual in the pediatric population and is mostly reveals an underlying thrombophilic state. PTE is also recognized as the best therapeutic option in this subgroup of patients. In this case series, we report three young patients who had successfully undergone PTE due to pulmonary emboli and associated CTEPH.WoSScopu

External Validation Of The Thoracic Revised Cardiac Risk Index In Patients Undergoing Lung Resection For Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cardiac Risk Index In Lung Resections

Aim: The Thoracic Revised Cardiac Risk Index (ThRCRI) is a cardiac risk stratification tool specific to patients undergoing thoracic surgery. However, its usage is not accepted in routine practice yet. In this study, we aimed to validate the reliability of ThRCRI for predicting cardiac complications in an independent cohort undergoing lung resections for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Material and Method: Data of 249 patients were analyzed according to ThRCRI scores and cardiovascular complication rate. ROC analyses were also carried out to evaluate the reliability of ThRCRI categories. Results: Higher ThRCRI risk scores were found to be associated with higher overall cardiac complication rates (p<0.0001) with a moderate-to-high reliability. Discussion: This study externally validated the discriminative ability of ThRCRI to differentiate high-risk patients for major cardiac complications following major lung resections. We advocate its use as a cardiac screening tool for patients who are candidates for lung resection.Wo