Leukemia in Iran: Epidemiology and morphology trends

Background: Leukemia accounts for 8 of total cancer cases and involves all age groups with different prevalence and incidence rates in Iran and the entire world and causes a significant death toll and heavy expenses for diagnosis and treatment processes. This study was done to evaluate epidemiology and morphology of blood cancer during 2003-2008. Materials and Methods: This cross- sectional study was carried out based on re-analysis of the Cancer Registry Center report of the Health Deputy in Iran during a 6-year period (2003 - 2008). Statistical analysis for incidence time trends and morphology change percentage was performed with joinpoint regression analysis using the software Joinpoint Regression Program. Results: During the studied years a total of 18,353 hematopoietic and reticuloendothelial system cancers were recorded. Chi square test showed significant difference between sex and morphological types of blood cancer (P-value < 0.001). Joinpoint analysis showed a significant increasing trend for the adjusted standard incidence rate (ASIR) for both sexes (P-value < 0.05). Annual percent changes (APC) for women and men were 18.7 and 19.9, respectively. The most common morphological blood cancers were ALL, ALM, MM and CLL which accounted for 60 of total hematopoietic system cancers. Joinpoint analyze showed a significant decreasing trend for ALM in both sexes (P-value < 0.05). Conclusions: Hematopoietic system cancers in Iran demonstrate an increasing trend for incidence rate and decreasing trend for ALL, ALM and CLL morphology

Incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer and relationships with the human development index across the world

Background: This study aimed to investigate the standardized incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer and its relationship with the human development index (HDI) across the world in 2012. Materials and Methods: This ecologic study was conducted for assessment of the correlation between age-specific incidence rate (ASIR) and age-specific mortality rate (ASMR) with HDI and its components. Data for SIR and SMR for every country for the year 2012 were obtained from the global cancer project. We used a bivariate method for assessment of the correlation between SIR and SMR and HDI. Statistical significance was assumed at P < 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (Version 22.0, SPSS Inc.). Results: Countries with the highest SIR of colorectal cancer in the world in 2012, were Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Hungary and countries with the highest SMR were Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia. The correlation between SIR of colorectal cancer and the HDI was 0.712 (P�0.001), with life expectancy at birth 0.513 (P�0.001), with mean years of schooling 0.641 (P�0.001) and with level of income per each person of the population 0.514 (P�0.013). In addition, the correlation between SMR of colorectal cancer and the HDI was 0.628 (P�0.001), with life expectancy at birth 0.469 (P�0.001), with mean years of schooling 0.592 (P�0.001) and with level of income per each person of the population 0.378 (P�0.013). Conclusions: The highest SIR and SMR of colorectal cancer was in the WHO Europe region. There was a positive correlation between HDI and SIR and SMR of colorectal cancer

Abrasion in pyroclastic flows

The relative size of glass rims coating crystals in the matrix ash provides a semi-quantitative measure of abrasion of ash grains in pyroclastic flows. Median abrasion indices (= areacrystal / areaglass rim) are 8.4 to 18.5 in Laacher See pyroclastic flow units but only 4 to 6.3 in assocciated fallout, showing stronger abrasion of ash particles in the pyroclastic flows. All pyroclasts undergo strong attrition in the vent but clasts in pyroclastic flows undergo a second major phase of abrasion during high-energy near-vent flow. Abrasion of ash particles is weaker during lower-energy higher-strength motion further downstream, suggesting that high contents of fine ash in distal deposits are due to diminishing elutriation rather than high rate of attrition

SIMULTANEOUS SPACE VECTOR MODULATION DIRECT TORQUE CONTROL OF TWO INDUCTION MOTORS USED IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES BY A NINE-SWITCH INVERTER

In this paper, a novel two output nine switch-inverter is proposed in order to increase the synchronization speed of induction motors used in electric vehicles (EVs) while improving the efficiency and controllability of the system. The number of switches in the proposed inverter is reduced by 25% compared to double six-switch inverters which conventionally used in EVs. The main characteristics of the considered inverter can be noted as follows: sinusoidal input and outputs, unity output power factor, and specifically, low construction cost due to active switch number reduction. The classical direct torque control method causes torque ripple and speed fluctuations. Therefore, in order to increase accuracy and dynamics of drive system, the SVM-DTC method is proposed, leading to less torque ripple and constant switching frequency. The obtained torque ripple is 2% which is less than the existing structures In order to illustrate advantages of the proposed approach, performance of the EVs in the standard cycles is evaluated

Novel Adhesives for Distal Radius Fixation: A Biomechanical Analysis

Wrist fractures can be difficult to treat due to advanced age of the patient, medical co-morbidities, and comminution of the bone. This study examines the effectiveness of two injectable glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs), derived from two different glasses (A and B), as minimally invasive treatments for distal radius fractures. Twenty-seven fresh cadaveric radial pairs were tested either in compressive fatigue or to quasi-static compressive failure. The radii tested to failure had one pair fixated with a GPC while the other was left intact. The radii tested under fatigue had one pair fixated with a GPC and the other with a volar locking plate. A wedge osteotomy was used to simulate a severely comminuted fracture. When loaded to failure, the radii fixated with a GPC made from glass A or B were found to be, respectively, at least 57% and 62% as strong as their intact biological pair (95% Confidence Interval, Lower). Using a paired t-test, the radii fixated with either adhesive were found to be significantly stiffer than their biological pairs fixated with a volar locking plate for all cycles of fatigue loading. The adhesives under investigation demonstrate promise as treatment for distal radius fractures. In vivo investigations are warranted to determine the effect that the adhesives have on the bone remodelling process