Grey relational analysis based on instance based learning approach for classification of risks of occupational low back disorders

Classification of industrial jobs related to occupational low back disorders risks has great significance in preventing injuries and designing workplaces. In this study, industrial jobs are classified into two categories, i.e., low risk and high risk, using grey relational analysis approach. The results on a dataset are provided, together with the comparisons in terms of classification accuracy between the proposed approach and other methods that used the same dataset, including logistic regression, decision tree, neural networks, neuro-fuzzy classification, ant colony optimisation, memory-based reasoning, and ensemble model. The proposed approach outperforms other alternative methods and yields at least 10% improvement in classification accuracy compared to the best results achieved among the earlier studies.     

Bioavailability and toxicological potential of lentil-bound residues of malathion in rats.

Lentil grains treated with malathion and stored under laboratory conditions for 12 months formed bound residues. Bioavailability and the effects of lentil-bound residues of malathion in rats were studied. The amount of bound residues in lentils treated with 14C-malathion at 10 ppm and 50 ppm gradually increased to 9.52% and 13.01% of the initially applied doses after 12 months. When rats were fed these 14C-bound residues, radioactivity excreted in urine accounted for 34.49% of the administered dose. In feces, 26.15% of given dose was methanol-extractable while 18.67% was determined as nonextractable. Various tissues including liver, kidney, fat and lungs contained 8.93% while radioactivity in expired air (14CO2) was low (1.51%). The results indicate that lentil-bound malathion residues are highly bioavailable to rats. Analysis of the lentil material containing bound residues indicated that the main compound was malathion. Lentil-bound malathion residues were administered to albino rats at 0.95 and 6.51 ppm in the feed for 3 months. Body weights were determined during and at the end of the experiment. Terminal organ weights were also determined and a number of blood chemistry parameters were examined. A significant reduction in serum cholinesterase activity and an increase in blood urea nitrogen and in white cell count suggest a toxocological potential of the bound residues.     

Assessment of risk factors in forest road design and construction activities with fuzzy analytic hierarchy process approach in Turkey

Forest road design and construction are time-consuming and complicated because various risk factors can be encountered during the process. The aim of this study is to comprehensively assess the risk factors in forest road design and construction using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method in Turkey, thus contributing to the proper performance of these activities. Within the scope of the study, six main risk factors and 22 sub-risk factors were identified based on literature review. In order to determine the weights of the relevant risk factors, the opinions of three different groups [(group 1: academicians), (group 2: forest engineers (private sector employees + public sector employees)), (group 3: group 1 + group 2)] about the risk factors were obtained. Relevant risk factor weights were determined using the fuzzy AHP method. According to group 3, the most important main risk factors are technical risks and environmental risks. In addition, the most important sub-risk factors for each relevant main risk factor were incorrect road alignment, inadequate work safety in the field, insufficient capital, legal problems on the road alignment, landslide risk during road construction, and illegal logging. Differences were observed between groups 1 and 2 in the weight rankings of relevant risk factor. The results demonstrate that the fuzzy AHP method can be used effectively to assess the risks of forest road design and construction.     

An acoustical landscaping study: the impact of distance between the sound source and the landscape plants on traffic noise reduction

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Due to the ongoing increase in the urbanization rate, people are exposed to various environmental pollutions. One of the most threatening types of...     

Monitoring the local distribution of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena L.) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey (Hatay) by using GIS and remote sensing technologies

Striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena L.) are one of the large carnivores whose numbers have rapidly decreased in Turkey. To monitor and assess the distribution of striped hyenas in Mediterranean region of Turkey, geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies were implemented. For this purpose, the GIS database was generated and digital maps were produced in ArcGIS 9.2 program, considering some of the main factors including signs of striped hyenas, elevation, slope, land use types, feeding sources, and road network. The land use types in the distribution area of striped hyenas were classified by using ERDAS Imagine program. The results from the land use classification indicated that the signs of striped hyenas mostly distributed over the agricultural areas especially with olive groves, and followed by maquis. It was found that there was a spatial relationship between the signs of striped hyenas and feeding sources such as organic waste centers and a chicken farm in the region.     

A GIS-based decision support system for determining the shortest and safest route to forest fires: a case study in Mediterranean Region of Turkey

The ability of firefighting vehicles and staff to reach a fire area as quickly as possible is critical in fighting against forest fires. In this study, a Geographical Information System-based decision support system was developed to assist fire managers in determining the fastest and the safest or more reliable access routes from firefighting headquarters to fire areas. The decision support system was tested in the Kahramanmaras Forestry Regional Directoratein the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The study area consisted of forested lands which had been classified according to fire sensitivity. The fire response routing simulations considered firefighting teams located in 20 firefighting headquarter locations. The road network, the locations of the firefighting headquarters, and possible fire locations were mapped for simulation analysis. In alternative application simulations, inaccessible roads which might be closed due to fire or other reasons were indicated in the network analysis so that the optimum route was not only the fastest but also the safest and most reliable path. The selection of which firefighting headquarters to use was evaluated by considering critical response time to potential fire areas based on fire sensitivity levels. Results indicated that new firefighting headquarters should be established in the region in order to provide sufficient firefighting response to all forested lands. In addition, building new fire access roads and increasing the design speed on current roads could also increase firefighting response capabilities within the study area.     

Analyzing riparian forest cover changes along the Firniz River in the Mediterranean City of Kahramanmaras in Turkey

Riparian forests adjacent to surface water are important transitional zones which maintain and enrich biodiversity and ensure the sustainability in a forest ecosystem. Also, riparian forests maintain water quality, reduce sediment delivery, enhance habitat areas for aquatic life and wildlife, and provide ecological corridors between the upland and the downstream. However, the riparian ecosystems have been degraded mainly due to human development, forest operations, and agricultural activities. In order to evaluate the impacts of these factors on riparian forests, it is necessary to estimate trends in forest cover changes. This study aims to analyze riparian forest cover changes along the Firniz River located in Mediterranean city of Kahramanmaras in Turkey. Changes in riparian forest cover from 1989 to 2010 have been determined by implementing supervised classification method on a series of Landsat TM imagery of the study area. The results indicated that the classification process applied on 1989 and 2010 images provided overall accuracy of 80.08 and 75 %, respectively. It was found that the most common land use class within the riparian zone was productive forest, followed by degraded forest, agricultural areas, and other land use classes. The results also indicated that the areas of degraded forest and forest openings increased, while productive forest and agricultural areas decreased between the years of 1989 and 2010. The amount of agricultural areas decreased due to the reduction in the population of rural people. According to these results, it can be concluded that special forest management and operation techniques should be implemented to restore the forest ecosystem in riparian areas.