Torrefaction of pine wood in a continuous system and optimization of torrefaction conditions

WOS: 000449519500006Red pine wood particles were torrefied in a screw conveyor reactor system continuously having a capacity of 5 kg/hour. During torrefaction, operating conditions were very important. Changes in the reactor temperature and the reactor residence times had large influences on product yields. With increasing torrefaction temperature, the volatile matter and oxygen content of biomass decreased, while fixed carbon content and heating value greatly increased. Design-Expert software package was used for the design of experiments (DOE) and to carry out the statistical analysis according to the experimental results. The optimum biocoal yield of 56.59%, energy yield of 47.49%, higher heating value of 26 761.9 kJ/kg, hardgrove grindability index of 91.76, H/C ratio of 0.099, and O/C ratio of 0.312 were obtained at 299.71 degrees C and 28.4 minutes (approximately 300 degrees C and 30 minutes). The biocoal prepared in this work exhibited similar properties to selected Turkish lignites. It suggests that the biocoal can be used as a supplementary fuel for production of energy in coal-fired combustion systems, especially as an auxiliary fuel for existing power plants.TUBITAK-ARDEB 1003 [213M527]TUBITAK-ARDEB 1003, Grant/Award Number: 213M52

Mega Hpv laboratories for cervical cancer control

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women in the world. It is estimated that one woman dies every 2 min from cervical cancer. Nearly all cervical cancers are preventable by early detection and treatment through screening or HPV vaccination. In 2018, World Health Organization (WHO) made a global call for action toward the elimination of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening involves a complex organized program, which begins with a call/recall system based on personal invitation of eligible women, followed by participation in screening, and leading to diagnosis, treatment, and management as appropriate. An effective cervical screening program with high coverage is dependent on each country's infrastructure and human resource capacity. Efforts to develop an effective program is particularly challenging in low and middle income countries (LMIC) where resources are limited. For an effective strategy, Turkey redesigned the country's cervical screening program. The local call/recall system and centralized monitoring system of individual women were re-vamped with an automated evaluation system. The revised screening program includes the use of primary HPV testing with a well-defined protocol outlining the algorithms of management (i.e., screening intervals and referral), a single nationwide centralized diagnostic laboratory, and a sustainable agreement with the HPV diagnostics industry. This system allows for traceable, real-time monitoring of screening visits and specimens. Turkey reports on the first four years of this re-vamped organized program and shares lessons learnt from the implementation of this new program.PubMedWoSScopu

Survival of Gynecological Cancers in Turkey: Where Are We at?

Objective To investigate the 5-year relative survival rates in gynecological cancers diagnosed and treated in Turkey by year 2009 and to compare the results with developed countries. Methods Data of patients diagnosed for ovarian, corpus uteri or cervix uteri cancer at year 2009 are collected from 9 national cancer registry centers. Date of deaths are retracted from governmental Identity Information Sharing System (KPS). In order to calculate relative survival rates, national general population mortality tables are obtained from Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). Hakulinen method is used for computing curves by R program. Data for European, Asian and some developed countries were obtained from official web pages. Results A total of 1,553 patients are evaluated. Among these, 713 (45.9%) are corpus uteri cancers, while remaining 489 (31.5%) are ovarian and 351 (22.6%) are cervix uteri. Five-year overall relative survival rates are 85%, 50%, and 62% for corpus uteri, ovarian, and cervix uteri, respectively. These figures are between 73%–87% for corpus uteri, 31%–62% for ovarian and 61%–80% for cervix uteri in developed countries. Stage is the most important factor for survival in all cancers. Five-year relative survival rates in corpus uteri cancers are 92%, 66%, and 38% for localized, regional, and distant metastatic disease, respectively. These figures are 77%, 57%, and 29% for ovarian; 80%, 50%, and 22% for cervix uteri. Conclusion This is the first report from Turkey giving national overall relative survival for gynecological cancers from a population based cancer registry system.PubMedWoSScopu