RESUMEN: El foramen magno (FM) es el componente clave de la unión craneovertebral, que conecta el tronco encefálico y el bulbo raquídeo y está estrechamente relacionado con las estructuras vitales. Las dimensiones FM son de gran importancia clínica. Teniendo en cuenta la similitud de forma entre FM y órbitas, consideramos que podría haber una relación entre las longitudes (diámetro sagital) y las anchuras (diámetro transversal) de estas estructuras. Dado que no es posible llegar al FM directamente, establecimos nuestra hipótesis y calculamos las dimensiones del foramen magno a partir de mediciones orbitales antes de proceder a costosas pruebas. También investigamos esta armonía en los cráneos que usamos en el estudio. En el estudio, se utilizaron 21 huesos de cráneo secos de la población turca. Se realizaron mediciones FM y de longitud y anchura orbitales. Para las mediciones se utilizó un calibrador digital de precisión. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos de validez y confiabilidad para probar la concordancia entre las mediciones. Encontramos que la longitud de la órbita y FM en el plano sagital es cercana entre sí, con 34,74±2,11 mm y 34,99±3,0 mm, y el ancho de la órbita en el plano coronal es aproximadamente 1,40 veces el ancho de la FM. Demostramos que la estimación de las dimensiones FM basadas en mediciones orbitales también es estadísticamente válida y segura. Empleando mediciones orbitales, es posible estimar dimensiones FM que son difíciles de alcanzar directamente en humanos vivos.

SUMMARY: The foramen magnum (FM) is the key component of the craniovertebral junction, which connects the brain stem and medulla spinalis and is closely related to vital structures. FM dimensions are of great clinical importance. Considering the similarity in shape between FM and orbita, we thought that there might be a relationship between the lengths (sagittal diameter) and widths (transverse diameter) of these structures. Since it is not possible to reach FM directly, we set up our hypothesis as can we calculate the foramen magnum dimensions from orbital measurements before proceeding to costly tests. We also investigated this harmony in the skulls we used in the study. In the study, 21 dried skull bones from the Turkish population were used. FM and right Orbital length and width measurements were made. Precision digital caliper was used for measurements. Statistical validity and reliability analyzes were performed to prove the agreement between the measurements. We found that the length of the orbit and FM in the sagittal plane is close to each other, with 34.74±2.11 mm and 34.99±3.0 mm, and the width of the orbit in the coronal plane is approximately 1.40 times the width of the FM. We proved that the estimation of FM dimensions based on orbital measurements is also statistically valid and safe. Using orbital measurements, it is possible to estimate FM dimensions which are difficult to reach directly in living humans.

ABSTRACT Background: Thymolipoma is a rare benign tumour of the mediastinum, accounting for 2%–9% of all thymic tumours. Although many case reports have been published in the literature, few studies have analysed the clinical and radiological features and the surgical outcomes of this tumour. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiological features and the surgical outcomes of the patients with thymolipoma. Methods: We reviewed the records of the Pathology Department from the beginning of 2005 to the end of 2013. Results: We identified 11 patients with thymolipoma. There were eight male and three female patients. Their ages ranged from 27 to 72 years, with the mean age of 40 years. All patients described pulmonary or extrapulmonary symptoms. Two patients (18.2%) had myasthenia gravis. Chest X-ray was normal in four patients. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed a mass located in the anterior mediastinum in all patients. It showed fat attenuation in 4 of 11 patients (36.4%). Thymectomy was performed in all patients. The surgical approach was thoracotomy in five, sternotomy in four and video-assisted thoracic surgery in two patients. Thymolipomas ranged in size from 4 to 33 cm. One patient died 2 years after surgery. None of the remaining patients had evidence of recurrence on follow-up. Conclusion: Thymolipoma is a rare tumour of the thymus. It may be associated with myasthenia gravis. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice in the patients with thymolipoma. Complete surgical resection is the cure in most patients.

The South African platinum mines in the Bushveld Complex (BC) have unique features that distinguish them from the gold mines. They have a higher horizontal stress closer to the surface, lower occurrence of seismic activity (caused mainly by pillar failure), and are sited in an area of high geothermal gradient. One of the future challenges of platinum mining is the increasing temperatures as the mining depth increases. High temperatures invariably bring about higher ventilation costs and require different approaches to human factors and ergonomics. Excavation stability would also be another area of concern due to increasing stresses. In this investigation, the effect of temperature on the physical and chemical properties of selected Bushveld rocks (chromitite, pyroxenite, norite, leuconorite, gabbronorite, mottled anorthosite, varitextured anorthosite, granite, and granofels) was studied by means of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). The rock specimens were heated in a temperature-controlled oven a rate of 2°C /min to 50°C, 100°C, and 140°C and kept at temperature for five consecutive days. Samples were allowed to cool to ambient temperature (approximately 20°C) before image capturing. Micrographs of the specimens were taken before and after heat treatment. All the SEM samples were also subjected to heating and cooling on alternate days for ten days in order to observe the effect of repeated heating and cooling on the rocks. The results of the optical microscopy analyses showed minor physical changes in the rocks. The SEM images revealed that cracks initiating at lower temperatures extend with increasing temperature. The chemical analyses showed that the temperature range considered in this research is not high enough to induce changes in the chemical composition of rock samples.

An investigation into pillar cutting was carried out at a platinum mine on the western limb of the Bushveld Complex. The focus was on crush pillar design and implementation in order to ultimately improve the compliance percentage for pillar cutting. The major findings from the investigation suggest that the pillar cutting problem lies with the implementation of the design rather than the design itself. Observations of the practical issues underground that prevent good pillar cutting were made. After these issues had been identified, recommendations to rectify these problems and a few other issues identified during the investigation were provided. The recommendations are aimed at improving the pillar cutting compliance and reducing the likelihood of pillar bursts or pillar runs, which will ultimately create a safer mining environment.

This paper is based on a project conducted at Khomanani 2 shaft, Anglo American Platinum Limited. The main objective was to find an alternative support element in stopes to address the falls of ground (FOG) problem experienced at this shaft. Literature review was the major method used in the investigations. Resin bolts or any 1.5 m in-stope roofbolts were considered. The shaft was making use of 0.9 m long friction bolts, and these could not prevent the FOG experienced. Observations indicated that the FOG resulted in fallout thicknesses averaging to 1.1 m, which is greater than the supported length of the friction bolts. The implementation of 1.5 m long bolts was recommended as a result of the project. These bolts will be able to address the fall-out thickness and provide sufficient support resistance to mitigate FOG. The chosen support element will result in a relatively small increase in support costs.

Tensile strength testing has been one of the most common physical property testing methods of thin spray-on liner (TSL) products worldwide. However, the variety of products tested has been insufficient for comparison purposes. Specimen preparation procedures and test parameters such as curing time and loading rate are not reported well. Comprehensive tensile strength testing on 20 TSL products and one plain shotcrete brand was performed over 28 days of curing period. Detailed information on the test procedures with particular attention on the important aspects during sample preparation and test execution are provided. As expected, the tensile strength increases with increasing curing period. The test results make the categorization and comparison of liner products possible.

This study determined the economic effects of avian influenza on the egg-production sector of Afyon Province, Turkey. Economic indicators were compared before and during the avian influenza outbreak. A questionnaire was conducted with 75 poultry farmers. Farms were divided into three groups according to their size. The profitability of the three farm size groups was compared during two study periods: before and during the avian influenza outbreak. The results indicate that, as compared to previous levels, farms experienced significantly reduced incomes during the avian influenza episode. While net income and profit margin were found to be negative in all three farm groups during the avian influenza period, only group I showed economic loss prior to avian influenza. Average net income per group was -19,576.14, -39,810.11, and -112,035.33 YTL respectively during the avian influenza outbreak, compared with prior incomes of -5,665.51, 8,422.92, and 16,3873.71 YTL (1 USD=1.43 YTL). The profit margin per egg during avian influenza was -0.029, -0.016, -0.010 YTL in group I, II, III, respectively, as compared to -0.007, 0.003, and 0.014 YTL/egg before avian influenza. It was found that, whereas larger farms were more profitable than small farms prior to the avian influenza period, larger farms suffered greater economic losses than small farms during avian influenza outbreak in the participating farms.

It is known that cities are warmer and drier that the surrounding, vegetated areas. In addition to their aesthetic aspects, plants play important roles in urban ecosystems function by providing various favourable effects. The City or Erzurum has extreme continental climatic features and is very hot in summertime, i.e., the period between June and September. There are few tree species capable of growing in the city; it is thought that in such cities, grass may have superior effects to the trees. The present study was carried out to determine temperature differences between asphalt concrete (AC), soil and grass surfaces on and 2m above them and to show the advantages of the use of grass surfaces in this kind of new developing cities. After the study, it was seen a mean temperature difference of 6.5 °C between AC and soil, 5.3 °C between soil and grass, and 11.79 °C between AC and grass surfaces respectively, while temperature differences 2m above the surfaces were 5.22 °C between AC and soil, 2.32 °C between soil and grass, and 7.54 °C between AC and grass surfaces. It was suggested at the end of the study that in the new developing cities having the same features as Erzurum, open spaces between the structures and areas along the roads must be covered with grass surfaces and recreational and aesthetical spaces must be left.

Se sabe que las ciudades son más calientes y secas que sus áreas verdes circundantes. Además de sus aspectos estéticos, las plantas juegan importantes papeles en el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas urbanos al ofrecer distintos efectos favorables. La ciudad de Erzurum presenta características climáticas continentales extremas y es sumamente caliente en verano, es decir, durante el periodo comprendido entre junio y septiembre. Hay pocas especies de árboles capaces de crecer en la ciudad por lo que se piensa que en tales ciudades, el pasto puede tener efectos superiores sobre los árboles. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo a fin de determinar las diferencias de temperatura entre superficies de concreto asfáltico, tierra y pasto y a 2 m sobre ellas y para mostrar las ventajas del uso de superficies de pasto en este tipo de ciudades nuevas en desarrollo. Tras el estudio, se observó una diferencia de la temperatura media de 6.5 °C entre el concreto asfáltico (CA) y la tierra, 5.3 °C entre tierra y pasto y 11.79 °C entre superficies de CA y pasto, mientras las diferencias de temperatura a 2 m de altura de las superficies fue de 5.22 °C entre CA y tierra, 2.32 °C entre tierra y pasto y 7.54 °C entre superficies de CA y pasto. Se ha sugerido al final del estudio que en ciudades nuevas en desarrollo con características similares a Erzurum, los espacios abiertos entre las estructuras y áreas a lo largo de los caminos deben ser cubiertos con superficies de pasto y los espacios recreativos y estéticos deben permanecer.

This study deals with the climatic differences between rural and urban areas over a two-year-period and three different climatic elements in the conditions of the city of Erzurum; and it was aimed to determine what factors may have affected these differences. It was found in the study that temperature difference between the areas was 1.7 °C, mean relative humidity was 2.5% and rainfall was 4.8 mm/m² (urban is wetter). The factors thought to be effective on these differences were surface structures, buildings, smoke prevalent in the urban area and snow cover. Consequently, it was suggested that, in order to obtain more favorable and healthy climatic conditions, green areas amount, which are now not effective in the city center, must be increased.

Este estudio trata sobre las diferencias climáticas entre áreas rurales y urbanas en un periodo de dos años considerando elementos climáticos distintos en las condiciones de la ciudad de Erzurum. Estuvo enfocado a determinar los factores que pudieron haber afectado dichas diferencias y se encontró que la diferencia de temperatura entre las áreas fue de 1.7 °C, la humedad relativa media de 2.5% y la precipitación de 4.8 mm/m², siendo la urbana más húmeda. Los factores que se consideraron como efectivos en tales diferencias fueron estructuras superficiales, edificios, humo prevaleciente en el área urbana y la cubierta de nieve. En consecuencia, se sugirió que -a fin de obtener condiciones climáticas más favorables y saludables- las áreas verdes, que actualmente no son suficientes en el centro de la ciudad, deben ser incrementadas.

In the present study an attempt has been made to compare the differences in human bioclimatological conditions 2 m above the ground between three different land surfaces: asphalt concrete, soil and grass surfaces, using a data set obtained on 15 clear and calm days in August 2005, and an appropriate bioclimatological index, the thermohygrometric index (THI) in the city of Erzurum, Turkey. In the respect of human thermal comfort, soil surface was found to be the most advantageous surface but for the mean THI values grass surface exhibits more favourable features while the least favourable features were presented by the asphalt concrete surface.

En este estudio se compararon las diferencias biochmatológicas humanas en tres diferentes superficies, concreto asfáltico, suelo y pasto, 2 m sobre el nivel del suelo en la ciudad de Erzurum, Turquía. Se utilizó una serie de datos obtenidos durante 15 días claros y en calma en agosto de 2005 y un índice bioclimatológico adecuado, el índice termohigrométrico (THI). En relación con la comodidad térmica humana, se encontró que el suelo fue la superficie con más ventajas, pero para los valores promedio del THI el pasto exhibió características más favorables, mientras que la superficie menos favorable fue el concreto asfáltico.