Optical Sensing of Mercury Using Fluorescent Silver and Gold Nanoclusters

n this study, gold and silver nanoclusters were employed for optical sensing of mercury. Nanoclusters used in this research had different chemical properties and showed different interactions with mercury producing specific optical responses including UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence. These responses were quantitatively studied in the solution phase. The sensitive methods developed in this study were tested using mercury standards and accurate and precise results were obtained. Optical responses could also be monitored by naked eye. Finally, portable and simple glass fiber pads were developed for mercury sensing

BASİT MESNETLİ TEK AÇIKLIKLI ÇELİK DEMİRYOLU KÖPRÜSÜNÜN DEPREM DAVRANIŞININ KIRILGANLIK EĞRİLERİ YARDIMI İLE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Kırılganlık analizi köprülerin deprem performanslarının belirlenmesinde yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Aktif deprem kuşağında yer alan ülkemizde demiryolu köprülerinin deprem performanslarının belirlenmesi olası deprem senaryoları için maddi ve can kayıplarının önlenmesi için büyük önem taşımaktadır. Ülkemizdeki demiryolu köprüleri incelendiği zaman genel olarak 19 uncu yüzyılın sonları ile 20 inci yüzyılın başlarında inşa edildiği görülmektedir. Demiryolu köprüleri arasında çelik, yığma ve betonarme köprülerin yer aldığı görülmektedir ve bu köprülerinin bir kısmı tarihi köprü niteliği taşımaktadır. Demiryolu köprülerinin uzun kullanım ömrünün olması ve köprülerin imal edildiği zamanın teknolojisi ile günümüz teknolojisi arasındaki gelişmeler göz önüne alındığı takdirde köprülerin deprem performanslarının belirlenmesi için ayrıntılı çalışmaların yapılması gerekliliği açıkça görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de ki demiryolu hatlarında sıklıkla kullanılan basit mesnetli tek açıklıklı bir çelik demiryolu köprüsü ele alınmıştır. Köprünün doğrusal olmayan analizlerinin yapılabilmesi için A, B ve C zemin sınıflarında 30 farklı gerçek deprem kaydı seçilmiş ve bu deprem kayıtları en büyük yer ivmesi 0.1g ile 1.0g arasın da 10 farklı sarsıntı şiddeti değerine oranlanmış ve 300 farklı zaman tanım alanına analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Köprünün matematiksel modeli yaygın olarak kullanılan bir sonlu elemanlar programı yardımı ile imalat paftalarına uygun şekilde oluşturulmuştur. Kırılganlık eğrileri elde edilirken maksimum olasılık yaklaşımından faydalanılmış ve her bir köprü elemanı için dört farklı hasar sınıfına ait kırılganlık eğrileri elde edilmiş elde edilen sonuçlar ayrıntılı bir şekilde irdelenmiştir

Strength-based Design Analysis of a Para-Plow Tillage Tool

In this research, experimental field tests and an advanced computer aided design and engineering (CAD and CAE) based application algorithm was developed and tested. The algorithm was put into practice through a case study on the strength-based structural design analysis of a Para-Plow tillage tool. Para-Plow is an effective tractor attached tillage tool utilised as an alternative to the conventional deep tillage tools used in agricultural tillage operations. During heavy tillage operations, the Para-Plow experiences highly dynamic soil reaction forces which may cause undesired deformations and functional failures on its structural elements. Here, prediction of the deformation behaviour of the tool structure during tillage operation in order to describe optimum structural design parameters for the tool elements and produce a functionally durable tool become an important issue. In the field experiments, draft force and strain-gauge based measurements on the tool were carried out simultaneously. Subsequently, Finite Element Method based stress analysis (FEA) were employed in order to simulate deformation behaviour of the tool under consideration of the maximum loading (worst-case scenario) conditions tested in the field. In the field experiments, average and maximum resultant draft forces were measured as 33,514 N and 51,716 N respectively. The FEA revealed that the maximum deformation value of the tool was 9.768 mm and the maximum stress values impart a change on the most critical structural elements of between 50 and 150 MPa under a worst-case loading scenario. Additionally, a validation study revealed that minimum and maximum relative differences for the equivalent stress values between experimental and simulation results were 5.17% and 30.19% respectively. This indicated that the results obtained from both the experimental and simulation are reasonably in union and there were no signs of plastic deformation on the Para-Plow elements (according to the material yield point) under pre-defined loading conditions and a structural optimisation on some of the structural elements may also be possible. This research provides a useful strategy for informing further research on complicated stress and deformation analyses of related agricultural equipment and machinery through experimental and advanced CAE techniques

Recurrent Her-2 positive occult breast cancer presenting with zosteriform cutaneous metastases: a case report

Various cutaneous metastasis patterns are described in breast cancer. Zosteriform metastases are rare cutaneous metastases, which appear in a dermatomal distribution. A 66-year woman presented with a 1-month history of nodular lesions on the left posterior hemithorax area. Biopsy was reported as human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her) 2 positive, hormone receptor-negative breast carcinoma metastasis. Dual blockade therapy targeting Her-2 overexpression was initiated for the patient. Treatment response was obtained after 3 cycles. There was a significant improvement in skin lesions. Zosteriform cutaneous metastases can be the early sign of systemic spread and can show an initial response to therapy. Therefore, physicians should perform an exhaustive physical examination including that of skin

The Relationship of Cognitive Dysfunction with Inflammatory Markers and Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Schizophrenia

Objectives: Schizophrenia is a devastating and chronic mental disorder that affects 1% of the population worldwide. It is also associated with cognitive dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between cognitive impairment and some inflammatory markers and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in schizophrenia. Methods: The participants of this study were 51 schizophrenia and 57 healthy controls (HC). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used for severity of illness, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) was used for cognitive functioning. The MoCA scores, some biochemical and inflammatory markers, and CIMT were compared between schizophrenia and HC groups. Results: Of the patients with schizophrenia, 11 were women (21.6%), and 40 were men (78.4%). MoCA scores were lower, and levels of NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, CRP, ESR, and CIMT were higher in schizophrenia compared to the HC group (respectively; p p p = 0.035, p = 0.008, p = 0.002, p p p p < 0.001). Conclusions: This is the first study to show the relationship between cognitive impairment and CIMT in schizophrenia. In this study, NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, CRP, and ESR markers were higher in schizophrenia compared to HC, indicating inflammation. Our finding of elevated CIMT in schizophrenia suggests that there may be an atherosclerotic process along with the inflammatory process. The finding of a positive correlation between cognitive impairment and CIMT may be promising for new therapies targeting the atherosclerotic process in the treatment of cognitive impairment

Simulation-Based Reliability Analysis of Steel Girder Railway Bridges

Bridges are an essential component of the transportation system and safety and sustainability of bridges are critical for the efficient operation thereof. Due to scarcity of resources, an economical way should be determined to design and maintain bridges and the transportation system in general. Reliability indexes are widely used in the analysis of these concepts within a semi-probabilistic approach. However, advances in computer technology allow implementing a fully-probabilistic approach. This study represents a simulation-based reliability analysis of steel girder bridges in the railway lines. Statistical parameters of the bridges are determined both analysing the existing body of knowledge available in the literature and conducting specimen tests. The Bayesian approach is used to update the statistical properties of the steel material. Basic Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) is used to simulate the load and resistance of the bridge. The reliability of the bridges is determined according to their ultimate limit states and statistical load distribution. By using simulation, the consistency of the log-normal marginal distribution obtained is analysed herein

A New Comorbidity in Female Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate whether increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by pelvic inflammation and frequent use of the Valsalva maneuver increases the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among female patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Thirty-nine patients diagnosed as having AS through the use of the modified New York criteria, 47 patients with chronic low-back pain (CLBP), and 38 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. All the patients and the HCs underwent thorough physical and gynecological examinations. Pelvic organ prolapse was graded blindly by a gynecologist. Presence or absence of cystocele (CS), rectocele (RC), and uterine prolapse (UP) was noted. Results The incidences of CS, RC, and UD were significantly higher among the AS patients compared with the HCs (p = 0.001, 0.026, and 0002, respectively). The incidences of CS (p = 0.042) and UD (p = 0.017) were significantly higher among the AS patients compared with the CLBP patients. Conclusions The incidence of POP is higher among patients with AS compared with normal population. These patients should be questioned about the symptoms of POP and recommended, if necessary, regular gynecological examinations, as well as specific exercises including those targeting AS