Maturation effect on strength of high-strength concretes which produced with different origin aggregates

This paper presents an application of the maturation effect on the strength of high-strength concrete which is produced with different origin aggregates. While investigating the maturation effect on HSC 384 specimens were prepared with 22 different origin aggregates. These prepared specimens were subjected to the standard compressive tests which were applied after curing for 2, 7, 28, and 56 days under appropriate conditions. The test results revealed that bright surface-low adherence behavior is valid in normal strength concretes, but is not as effective as expected in high-strength concretes. The application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict 2, 7, 28, and 56 day compressive strength of HSC is also investigated in this paper. An ANN model is built, trained, and tested using the available test data gathered from experimental studies. The ANN model is found to predict 2, 7, 28, and 56 days of compressive strength of high-strength concrete well within the ranges of the input parameters considered. These comparisons show that ANNs have strong potential as a feasible tool for predicting the compressive strength of high-strength concrete within the range of the input parameters considered

Total parenteral nutrition and decreased dose idarubicin based treatment of acute myeloid leukemia during childhood [Çocukluk çagındaki akut myeloid lösemi tedavisinde azaltılmış doz i·darubisin ve parenteral beslenme tedavisi]

Aim: Disease free survival rate for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still below 50% for the last 30 years. Our objective was to compare the results of two different dosages of idarubicin (12 mg/m2 versus 8 mg/m2) therapy for newly diagnosed AML patients. Method: Sixty eight patients with AML were treated between February, 1998 and January, 2005. We designed two therapy groups comprising of 12 mg/m2/day idarubicin therapy (group I), 8 mg/m2/day idarubicin therapy and when oral nutrition is broken, we have given parenteral nutrition (group II). Overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS), disease free survival (DFS) data were assessed and other tests were performed when needed. Result: There were 26 patients (38.2%) in group I and 42 patients (61.8%) in group II. After the first induction therapy, 20 patients (76.9%) in group I and 36 in group II (85.7%) had CR or partial remission. After two courses of induction, treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 34.6% in group I and 7.1% in group II (p: 0.006). OS of the patients in group I/II were 44/81% for 12 months, 34/54% for 24 months, 29/48% for 36 months. EFS were 43/65% for 12 months, 34/50% for 24 months, and 29/50% for 36 months. OS and DFS rates were statistically significant but EFS rates were not, in group I and II. Conclusion: The protocol with idarubicin dose of 8 mg/m2/day has less TRM in comparison to that of 12 mg/m2/day and has better OS and EFS

Estimation of heat transfer in oscillating annular flow using artifical neural networks

WOS: 000266787100014In this study, the prediction of heat transfer from a surface having constant heat flux subjected to oscillating annular flow is investigated using artificial neural networks (ANNs). An experimental study is carried out to estimate the heat transfer characteristics as a function of some input parameters, namely frequency, amplitude, heat flux and filling heights. In the experiments, a piston cylinder mechanism is used to generate an oscillating flow in a liquid column at certain frequency and amplitude. The cycle-averaged values are considered in the calculation of heat transfer using the control volume approach. An experimentally evaluated data set is prepared to be processed with the use of neural networks. Back propagation algorithm, the most common learning method for ANNs, is used for training and testing the network. Results of the experiments and the ANN are in close agreements with errors less than 5%. The study showed that the ANNs could be used effectively for modeling oscillating flow heat transfer in a vertical annular duct. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Flow cytometry results at diagnosis and relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introduction: Several studies have focused on the immunophenotype of the leukemic population at the time of relapse compared to that observed at diagnosis. Objectivew: The question of whether differences exist between surface antigens levels on blasts at the time of diagnosis and at relapse in cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was addressed. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 All patients were included. Flow cytometry and fluorescein-isothiocynate conjugated antibodies were used to determined surface antigens levels. Results: The most frequently detected five antigens were I2 (n=21), CD10 (n=17), CD41 (n=16), CD2 (n=14) and CD7/CD19 (n=13/n=13) at the time of diagnosis and CD41 (n=21), I2 (n=20), CD10 (n=14), CD19 (n=16) and CD2 (n=12) at the time of relapse. There was a significant difference only between CD41 levels at the time of diagnosis and at the time of relapse (p=0.041). Conclusion: We found changes in antigen expressions at the time of relapse in ALL patients. This condition ought to be evaluated with reference to prognosis of leukemia

Acute lymhoblastic leukaemia in childhood [Çocukluk çaginda akut lenfoblastik lösemi]

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), is the most prevalent malignancy in children and adolescents. It accounts for approximately 25 % of all cancers in this age group and for almost 75 % of childhood leukaemias. The aetiology of childhood ALL is not yet fully understood. Treatment of childhood ALL is a true success story of modern clinical oncology, with an overall cure rate of 65 % to almost 80 % by application of intensive multiagent chemotherapeutic regimens. In this review, we conclude that, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinic, treatment and prognosis of the acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in childhood

Effect of aggregate mineralogical properties on high strength concrete modulus of elasticity

Aggregates mineralogical, and petrographic properties directly affect the mechanical properties of the produced high strength. This study is focused on the effects of magmatic, sedimentary, and metamorphic aggregates on the performance of high strength concrete. In this study, the effect of the mineralogical properties of aggregates on the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of high-strength concrete was estimated by Artifical Neural Network (ANN). To estimate the compressive strength and elasticity modules, 96 test specimens were produced. After 28 days under suitable conditions, tests were carried out to determine the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the test specimens. This study also focused on the application of artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict the 28-day compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity of high-strength concrete. An ANN model is developed, trained, and tested by using the available test data obtained from the experimental studies. The ANN model is found to predict the modulus of elasticity, and 28 days compressive strength of high strength concrete well, within the ranges of the input parameters. These comparisons show that ANNs have a strong potential to predict the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of high-strength concrete over the range of input parameters considered

A rare cause of thrombocytopenia in infants: Vitamin B12 deficiency

Thrombocytopenia is the reduction of platelet number to below normal level. It may be due to the decrease in production, increase in destruction, abnormal spreading in the body or the laboratory errors. B12 deficiency is a rarely seen vitamin deficiency in childhood. It presents with megaloblastic anemia and is difficult to diagnose because of various clinical findings. Here we would like to present two cases which were hospitalized to investigate the etiology of anemia and thrombocytopenia. Cases were detected to have vitamin B12 deficiency which is rarely seen in infantile period. A 12-month old male and a 16-month old female admitted with complaints of weakness, bruise and pallor. On physical examination, there was tremor of upper extremities. Anemia, thrombocytopenia and in peripheral blood macrocytes were detected as laboratory findings. B12 vitamins were found to be low. Patients recovered clinically after parenteral vitamin B12 administration. Laboratory findings also changed into normal

Myeloid antigen positivity in Turkish children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia lacks influence on prognosis

Introduction: Several studies have suggested that the presence of myeloid antigens is a poor prognostic factor in patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Objective: We aimed to assess this possibility in Turkish patients. Materials and Methods: Seventy-three children with a diagnosis of ALL-L1 and 38 with ALL-L2 were included. Flow cytometry and fluorescein-isothiocynate conjugated antibodies were used to determined surface antigens on blasts. Results: Myeloid antigens were positive in 48.4% with ALL-L1 and 60.5% with ALL-L2, the difference not being significant. Overall survival rates of myeloid antigen positive patients at 36, 60, and 72 months were 76%, 58%, and 48%, respectively, comparable to the corresponding 70%, 56%, and 46% in myeloid antigen negative patients (p >0.05). Conclusion: We did not find any association between myeloid antigen positivity and clinical and laboratory features of ALL

Chromosome abnormalities in childhood leukemia [Çocukluk çagi lösemilerinde kromozomal bozukluklar]

There can be chromosomal abnormalities at different rates in the cancer cells. These kind of abnormalities are definied as complex caryotypic abnormalities. Findings of chromosomal abnormalities in leukemia gives important information about the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of disease. t(12;21), t(1;19), t(9;22) ve t(4;11) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, t(15;17), t(8;21) ve inv(16) in acute myeloid leukemia are most commonly found