Harmony Search Algorithm for Continuous Network Design Problem with Link Capacity Expansions

Ozgur Baskan 대한토목학회 2014 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.18 No.1

The Continuous Network Design Problem (CNDP) deals with determining the set of link capacity expansions and the corresponding equilibrium link flows which minimizes the system performance index defined as the sum of total travel times and investment costs of link capacity expansions. In general, the CNDP is characterized by a bilevel programming model, in which the upper level problem is generally to minimize the total system cost under limited expenditure, while at the lower level problem, the User Equilibrium (UE)link flows are determined by Wardrop’s first principle. It is well known that bilevel model is nonconvex and algorithms for finding global or near global optimum solutions are preferable to be used in solving it. Furthermore, the computation time is tremendous for solving the CNDP because the algorithms implemented on real sized networks require solving traffic assignment model many times. Therefore, an efficient algorithm, which is capable of finding the global or near global optimum solution of the CNDP with less number of traffic assignments, is still needed. In this study, the Harmony Search (HS) algorithm is used to solve the upper level objective function and numerical calculations are performed on eighteen link and Sioux Falls networks. The lower level problem is formulated as user equilibrium traffic assignment model and Frank-Wolfe method is used to solve it. It has been observed that the HS algorithm is more effective than many other compared algorithms on both example networks to solve the CNDP in terms of the objective function value and UE traffic assignment number.

Arsenic removal from drinking water by electrocoagulation using iron electrodes

Meltem Bilici Baskan,Ceren Ucar,Aysegul Pala 한국화학공학회 2013 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.30 No.10

Arsenic removal from drinking water was investigated using electrocoagulation (EC) followed by filtration. A sand filter was used to remove flocs generated in the EC process. Experiments were performed in a batch electrochemical reactor using iron electrodes with monopolar parallel electrode connection mode to assess their efficiency. The effects of several operating parameters on arsenic removal such as current density (1.5-9.0 mA cm−2), initial arsenic concentration (50-500 μg L−1), operating time (0-15 min), electrode surface area (266-665 cm2), and sodium chloride concentrations (0.01 and 0.02M) were examined. The EC process was able to decrease the residual arsenic concentration to less than 10 μg L−1. Optimum operating conditions were determined as an operating time of 5 min and current density of 4.5 mA cm−2 at pH of 7. The optimum electrode surface area for arsenic removal was found to be 266cm2 taking into consideration cost effectiveness. The residual iron concentration increased with increasing residence time, and maximum residual iron value was measured as 287 μg L−1 for electrode surface area of 266 cm2. The addition of sodium chloride had no significant effect on residual arsenic concentration, but an increase in current density was observed.

Chemical, Textural and Sensorial Attributes of Biltong Produced through Different Manufacturing Processes

Engez, Semih,Baskan, Pelin,Ergonul, Bulent Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resource 2012 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.32 No.3

Six different types of biltong samples were manufactured from beef which was slowly frozen, quickly frozen or unfrozen. After marinating the samples according to the formulation used, meats were dried at two different temperatures ($28{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ or $42{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) until they lost half of their weights. Chemical, instrumental textural and sensorial analyses were done for determination of the most preferred sample and to compare the attributes of the samples with each other. It was found that, aw values of the samples were among 0.81 and 0.83, whereas water contents were changing among the values 39.64% and 45.37%. There were no significant differences determined among the protein contents of the biltong samples (p>0.05). Fat, ash and salt contents of the samples were among the values 1.32% and 2.07%, 5.30% and 6.06%, 2.68% and 3.30% respectively. Hardness of the samples were found between 34.81 N and 44.13 N and there was no significant difference observed among the hardness values of the biltong samples (p>0.05). As results of the analyses, it can be concluded that the highest flavor, color, tenderness and overall acceptability scores were obtained for the sample QF-LT which was made from quickly frozen beef and was dried at low temperature ($28{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) (p<0.05).

Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome: Diagnostic Journey of Three Cases from Skin to Gene

( Eda Hasal ),( Emel Bulbul Baskan ),( Seref Gul ),( Asli Gorek Dilektasli ),( Sebnem Ozemri Sag ),( Saduman Balaban Adim ),( Sehime Gulsun Temel ) 대한피부과학회 2022 Annals of Dermatology Vol.34 No.1

Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome (BHDS) is a rare disorder characterized by the triad of cutaneous lesions, renal tumors, lung cysts and inactivation of the gene folliculin (FLCN). Here, we present three female patients diagnosed with BHDS. First case a 55-year-old female had flesh moles histopathology compatible with angiofibroma, multiple cysts in the lung and kidneys, FLCN gene mutations (‘c.1285dupC [p.His429Profs*]’ 11th exon and ‘c.653G>A [p.Arg258His]’ 7th exon). The second case a 76-year-old female had trichodiscoma on her skin, multiple cysts in the lung, spontaneous pneumothorax, FLCN gene mutation ‘c.1285dupC (p.His429Profs*27) 11th exon’ and, her son had renal carcinoma history under 50 years of age. Our third case, also the daughter of case 2, had dermal papules histopathology compatible with trichodiscoma, spontaneous pneumothorax, FLCN gene mutation ‘c.1285dupC (p.His429Profs*27) 11th exon’ and, parotid oncocytoma. Through our cases, we document the first case of two mutations (‘c.1285dupC [p.His429Profs*]’ 11th exon and ‘c.653G>A [p.Arg258His]’ 7th exon) in the same FLCN gene and the 11th known case of parotid oncocytoma associated with BHDS in the light of the literature.

Chemical, Textural and Sensorial Attributes of Biltong Produced through Different Manufacturing Processes

Semih Engez,Pelin Baskan,Bülent Ergönül 한국축산식품학회 2012 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.32 No.3

Six different types of biltong samples were manufactured from beef which was slowly frozen, quickly frozen or unfrozen. After marinating the samples according to the formulation used, meats were dried at two different temperatures (28±1oC or 42±1oC) until they lost half of their weights. Chemical, instrumental textural and sensorial analyses were done for determination of the most preferred sample and to compare the attributes of the samples with each other. It was found that, aw values of the samples were among 0.81 and 0.83, whereas water contents were changing among the values 39.64% and 45.37%. There were no significant differences determined among the protein contents of the biltong samples (p>0.05). Fat, ash and salt contents of the samples were among the values 1.32% and 2.07%, 5.30% and 6.06%, 2.68% and 3.30% respectively. Hardness of the samples were found between 34.81 N and 44.13 N and there was no significant difference observed among the hardness values of the biltong samples (p>0.05). As results of the analyses, it can be concluded that the highest flavor,color, tenderness and overall acceptability scores were obtained for the sample QF-LT which was made from quickly frozen beef and was dried at low temperature (28±1oC) (p<0.05).

Imipenem - Cilastatin versus Sulbactam - Cefoperazone plus Amikacin in the Initial Treatment of Febrile Neutropenic Cancer Patients

(Ozgur Ozyilkan),(Ulku Yalcintas),(Sezgin Baskan) 대한내과학회 1999 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.14 No.2

N/A The treatment of infectious complications in cancer patients has evolved as a consequence of the developments in the chemotherapy of cancer patients. In this prospective, randomized study, we compared imipenem-cilastatin and sulbactam- cefoperazone with amikacin in the empiric therapy of febrile neutropenic (<1000/mm3) patients with liquids and solid tumours. Of 30 evaluable episodes, 15 were treated with imipenem-cilastatin and 15 were treated with sulbactam- cefoperazone plus amikacin. 73% of episodes were culture-positive; gram-positive pathogens accounted for 62% of the isolates. Bacteremia was the most frequent site of infection. The initial clinical response rate for both regimens was 60% (p>0.05). No major adverse effects occurred. This study demonstrated that imipenem-cilastatin monotherapy and combination therapy of sulbactam-cefoperazone plus amikacin were equally effective empiric therapy for febrile granulocytopenic cancer patients.

A Report of 13 Cases of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Single-Center Experience and Review of the Literature

( Serkan Yazici ),( Elif Irmak Yazici ),( Saduman Balaban Adim ),( Emel Bulbul Baskan ),( Kenan Aydogan ),( Hayriye Saricaoglu ) 대한피부과학회 2019 Annals of Dermatology Vol.31 No.3

Background: There is limited data knowledge of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in Turkey aside from a few case reports. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, demographic features, therapeutic parameters, and outcome of primary cutaneous MCC cases from Turkey. Methods: Digital medical records of the 13 MCC patients who were followed-up at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively analyzed. Clinic, demographic, tumor characteristics, and survival of the patients were retrieved. Results: Most of our patients were elderly. Female predominance was noticed. The most common primary site of the tumors was the lower extremities. The overall survival was 42 months, 68% at first year, 68% at third years, and 29% at fifth years. Conclusion: This is the first largest report from Turkish population with female predominance, and lower extremity tendency. (Ann Dermatol 31(3) 272∼278, 2019)

Outcome of the patients with chronic mesh infection following open inguinal hernia repair

Cihangir Akyol,Firat Kocaay,Erkinbek Orozakunov,Volkan Genc,Ilknur Kepenekci Bayram,Atil Cakmak,Semih Baskan,Ercument Kuterdem 대한외과학회 2013 Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research(ASRT) Vol.84 No.5

Purpose: Hernia repairs are the most common elective abdominal wall procedures performed by general surgeons. The use of a mesh has become the standard for hernia repair surgery. Herein, we discuss a management strategy for chronic mesh infections following open inguinal hernia repair with onlay prosthetic mesh. Methods: In this study, 15 patients with chronic mesh infections following open inguinal hernia repairs were included. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed and information regarding presentation, type of previous hernia repair, type of mesh, operative findings and bacteriological examination results were obtained. In all cases, the infected mesh was removed completely and the patients were treated with antibiotic regimens and local wound care. Results: Fifteen mesh removals due to chronic infection were performed between January 2000 and March 2012. The mean interval of hernia repair to mesh removal was 49 months. All patients were followed up for a median period of 62 months (range, 16 to 115 months). In all patients, the infections were resolved successfully and none were persistent or recurrent. However, one patient developed recurrent hernia and one developed nerve injury. Conclusion: Chronic mesh infection following hernia repair mandates removal of the infected mesh, which rarely results in hernia recurrence.