• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.387-391
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• 2009

Specific IgE against Acarus siro, Glycphagus domesticus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Lepidoglyphus destructor have been investigated by ELISA in sera of 92 children. Of them, 41 were found to be specific IgE positive ($\geq$ 0.35 IU/ml) against at least one of house dust mite species, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, by an immunoblot. In 65.9% of the dust mite-sensitized children, specific IgE against at least one of these mite species was found. Sensitization levels, including co-sensitization cases were found to be 35.7% against A. siro, 24.4% against T. putrescentiae, 31.7% against L. destructor, and 26.8% against G. domesticus. In non-sensitized children, dust mite sensitization level was found to be 25.5%. Breakdown of sensitization by individual species in this group was; against A. siro and T. putrescentiae at 7.8%, against L. destructor at 13.7%, and against G. domesticus at 9.8%. When all children were reckoned, 43.5% was found to be sensitized against at least one storage mite species, with sensitizations against A. siro at 18.5%, T. putrescentiae at 26.1%, L. destructor at 21.7%, and G. domesticus at 17.4%. In dust samples collected from the dwellings of children, distribution of species was found to be A. siro (17%), G. domesticus (23%), T. putrescentiae (29%), L. destructor (25%), and unidentified (6%). In Fisher's chi-square test on SPSS program, there was a relationship between dust mite sensitization and storage mite sensitization (P < 0.05), but no meaningful relationship was found on the basis of individual mite species.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.462-467
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This study investigated the influence of surface conditioning procedures and repeated firings on monoclinic content and strength of zirconia before cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sintered bar-shaped zirconia specimens were subjected to no surface treatment (control), air abrasion, or grinding (n=21). Their roughness was evaluated using a profilometer, and microscope analysis was performed on one specimen of each group. Then, 2 or 10 repeated firings (n=10) were executed, the monoclinic content of specimens was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and a three-point flexural strength test was performed. Surface roughness values were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests, the monoclinic content values were tested using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and the flexural strength values were tested using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (P=.05). Spearman's correlation test was performed to define relationships among measured parameters. RESULTS. Surface-treated specimens were rougher than untreated specimens and had a higher monoclinic content (P<.005), and the relationship between roughness and monoclinic content was significant (P<.000). Neither surface treatment nor firing significantly affected the flexural strength, but Weibull analysis showed that for the air-abraded samples the characteristic strength was significantly lower after the $10^{th}$ firing than after the $2^{nd}$ firing. CONCLUSION. After firing, a negligible amount of monoclinic content remained on the zirconia surfaces, and rougher surfaces had higher monoclinic contents than untreated surfaces. Multiple firings could be performed if necessary, but the fracture probability could increase after multiple firings for rougher surfaces.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.493-517
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• 2003

Attempts at improving beam-column joint performance has resulted in non-conventional ways of reinforcement such as the use of the crossed inclined bars in the joint area. Despite the wide accumulation of test data, the influence of the crossed inclined bars on the shear strength of the cyclically loaded exterior beam-column joints has not yet been quantified and incorporated into code recommendations. In this study, the investigation of joints has been pursued on two different fronts. In the first approach, the parameters that influence the behaviour of the cyclically loaded beam-column joints are investigated. Several parametric studies are carried out to explore the shear resisting mechanisms of cyclically loaded beam-column joints using an experimental database consisting of a large number of joint tests. In the second approach, the mechanical behaviour of joints is investigated and the equations for the principal tensile strain and the average shear stress are derived from joint mechanics. It is apparent that the predictions of these two approaches agree well with each other. A design equation that predicts the shear strength of the cyclically loaded exterior beam-column joints is proposed. The design equation proposed has three major differences from the previously suggested design equations. First, the influence of the bond conditions on the joint shear strength is considered. Second, the equation takes the influence of the shear transfer mechanisms of the crossed inclined bars into account and, third, the equation is applicable on joints with high concrete cylinder strength. The proposed equation is compared with the predictions of the other design equations. It is apparent that the proposed design equation predicts the joint shear strength accurately and is an improvement on the existing code recommendations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.869-886
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• 2016

Non-Deformable Support System (NDSS) is one of the support system analysis methods. It is likely seen as numerical analysis. Obviously, numerical modeling is the key tool for this system but not unique. Although the name of the system makes you feel that there is no deformation on the support system, it is not true. The system contains some deformation but in certain tolerance determined by the numerical analyses. The important question is what is the deformation tolerance? Zero deformation in the excavation environment is not the case, actually. However, deformation occurred after supporting is important. This deformation amount will determine the performance of the applied support. NDSS is a stronghold analysis method applied in full to make this work. While doing this, NDSS uses the properties of rock mass and material, various rock mass failure criteria, various material models, different excavation geometries, like other methods. The thing that differ NDSS method from the others is that NDSS makes analysis using the time dependent deformation properties of rock mass and engineering judgement. During the evaluation process, NDSS gives the permission of questioning the field observations, measurements and timedependent support performance. These transactions are carried out with 3-dimensional numeric modeling analysis. The goal of NDSS is to design a support system which does not allow greater deformation of the support system than that calculated by numerical modeling. In this paper, NDSS applied to the problems of Tunnel 34 of the same Project (excavated with NATM method, has a length of 2218 meters), which is driven in graphite schist, was illustrated. Results of the system analysis and insitu measurements successfully coincide with each other.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.435-460
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• 2017

The main objective of this study is to investigate the turning and zig-zag maneuvering performance of the well-known naval surface combatant DTMB (David Taylor Model Basin) 5415 hull with URANS (Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) method. Numerical simulations of static drift tests have been performed by a commercial RANS solver based on a finite volume method (FVM) in an unsteady manner. The fluid flow is considered as 3-D, incompressible and fully turbulent. Hydrodynamic analyses have been carried out for a fixed Froude number 0.28. During the analyses, the free surface effects have been taken into account using VOF (Volume of Fluid) method and the hull is considered as fixed. First, the code has been validated with the available experimental data in literature. After validation, static drift, static rudder and drift and rudder tests have been simulated. The forces and moments acting on the hull have been computed with URANS approach. Numerical results have been applied to determine the hydrodynamic maneuvering coefficients, such as, velocity terms and rudder terms. The acceleration, angular velocity and cross-coupled terms have been taken from the available experimental data. A computer program has been developed to apply a fast maneuvering simulation technique. Abkowitz's non-linear mathematical model has been used to calculate the forces and moment acting on the hull during the maneuvering motion. Euler method on the other hand has been applied to solve the simultaneous differential equations. Turning and zig-zag maneuvering simulations have been carried out and the maneuvering characteristics have been determined and the numerical simulation results have been compared with the available data in literature. In addition, viscous effects have been investigated using Eulerian approach for several static drift cases.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2013

During the final quarter of the last century considerable efforts have been spent to reduce the hull pressure fluctuations caused by unsteady propeller cavitation. This has resulted in further changes in propeller design characteristics including increased skew, tip unloading and introduction of "New Blade Sections" (NBS) designed on the basis of the so-called Eppler code. An experimental study was carried out to investigate flow characteristics of alternative two-dimensional (2-D) blade sections of rectangular planform, one of which was the New Blade Section (NBS) developed in Newcastle University and other was based on the well-known National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) section. The experiments comprised the cavitation observations and the measurements of the local velocity distribution around the blade sections by using a 2-D Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) system. Analysis of the cavitation tests demonstrated that the two blade sections presented very similar bucket shapes with virtually no width at the bottom but relatively favourable buckets arms at the suction and pressure sides for the NACA section. Similarly, pressure analysis of the sections displayed a slightly larger value for the NBS pressure peak. The comparative overall pressure distributions around the sections suggested that the NBS might be more susceptible to cavitation than the NACA section. This can be closely related to the fundamental shape of the NBS with very fine leading edge. Therefore a further investigation into the modification of the leading edge should be considered to improve the cavitation behaviour of the NBS.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.117-134
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• 2007

The force (load) reduction factor, R, which is one of the most important parameters in earthquake load calculation, is independent of the dimensions of the structure but is defined on the basis of the load bearing system of the structure as defined in earthquake codes. Significant damages and failures were experienced on prefabricated reinforced concrete structures during the last three major earthquakes in Turkey (Adana 1998, Kocaeli 1999, Duzce 1999) and the experts are still discussing the main reasons of those failures. Most of them agreed that they resulted mainly from the earthquake force reduction factor, R that is incorrectly selected during design processes, in addition to all other detailing errors. Thus this wide spread damages caused by the earthquake to prefabricated structures aroused suspicion about the correctness of the R coefficient recommended in the current Turkish Earthquake Codes (TEC - 98). In this study, an attempt was made for an approximate determination of R coefficient for widely utilized prefabricated structure types (single-floor single-span) with variable dimensions. According to the selecting variable dimensions, 140 sample frames were computed using pushover analysis. The force reduction factor R was calculated by load-displacement curves obtained pushover analysis for each frame. Then, formulated artificial neural network method was trained by using 107 of the 140 sample frames. For the training various algorithms were used. The method was applied and used for the prediction of the R rest 33 frames with about 92% accuracy. The paper also aims at proposing the authorities to change the R coefficient values predicted in TEC - 98 for prefabricated concrete structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1021-1038
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• 2016

Considerable part of reinforced concrete building has suffered from destructive earthquakes in Turkey. This situation makes necessary to determine nonlinear behavior and seismic performance of existing RC buildings. Inelastic response of buildings to static and dynamic actions should be determined by considering both flexural plastic hinges and brittle shear hinges. However, shear capacities of members are generally neglected due to time saving issues and convergence problems and only flexural response of buildings are considered in performance assessment studies. On the other hand, recent earthquakes showed that the performance of older buildings is mostly controlled by shear capacities of members rather than flexure. Demand estimation is as important as capacity estimation for the reliable performance prediction in existing RC buildings. Demand estimation methods based on strength reduction factor (R), ductility (${\mu}$), and period (T) parameters ($R-{\mu}-T$) and damping dependent demand formulations are widely discussed and studied by various researchers. Adopted form of $R-{\mu}-T$ based demand estimation method presented in Eurocode 8 and Turkish Earthquake Code-2007 and damping based Capacity Spectrum Method presented in ATC-40 document are the typical examples of these two different approaches. In this study, eight different existing RC buildings, constructed before and after Turkish Earthquake Code-1998, are selected. Capacity curves of selected buildings are obtained with and without considering the brittle shear capacities of members. Seismic drift demands occurred in buildings are determined by using both $R-{\mu}-T$ and damping based estimation methods. Results have shown that not only capacity estimation methods but also demand estimation approaches affect the performance of buildings notably. It is concluded that including or excluding the shear capacity of members in nonlinear modeling of existing buildings significantly affects the strength and deformation capacities and hence the performance of buildings.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.873-881
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• 2021

Objective : Peripheral nerve injuries occur mostly as a result of mechanical trauma. Due to the microvascular deterioration in peripheral nerve damage, it becomes challenging to remove free oxygen radicals. Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects and a free radical scavenger. The purpose of the study is to show that gallic acid contributes to the restorative effect in mechanical nerve damage, considering its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods : Thirty male Sprague Dawley albino mature rats were included in the study. Ten of them constituted the control group, 10 out of 20 rats for which sciatic nerve damage was caused, constituted the saline group, and 10 formed the gallic acid group. Post-treatment motor functions, histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical parameters of the rats were evaluated. Results : Compared to the surgery+saline group, lower compound muscle action potential (CMAP) latency, higher CMAP amplitude, and higher inclined plane test values were found in the surgery+gallic acid group. Similarly, a higher nerve growth factor (NGF) percentage, a higher number of axons, and a lower percentage of fibrosis scores were observed in the surgery+gallic acid group. Finally, lower tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) values were determined in the surgery+gallic acid group. Conclusion : Gallic acid positively affects peripheral nerve injury healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It has been thought that gallic acid can be used as a supportive treatment in peripheral nerve damage.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2018

There is a variety of opinions about the first translation activities within the Turkic Empire. It is widely believed that some Buddhist sutras were translated into the Turkic language in the period of Taspar Qagan (572-581). This theory is based on certain arguments: Some Turks practiced Buddhism, Buddhist monks translated sutras in the center of the Turkic Empire, Taspar brought sutras from China and had them translated, and the monarch of Northern Qi had a sutra translated and sent to Taspar. However, in my opinion, these arguments lack credibility. This article, which is based on primary Chinese sources, will question the likelihood of such translation activities having occurred. Some Chinese records for these claims exist: Da Tang Nei Dian Lu (大唐內典錄) and Xu Gao Seng Chuan (續高僧傳) by the Buddhist monk Jinagupta and the records of Hui Lin in Sui Shu (隋書) and Wen Xian Tong Kao (文獻通考). These are known as "primary sources." Secondary sources, namely contemporary history and language studies, such as those in books and articles, must be based on primary sources. It can be seen that claims relating to the first Turkic translation activities at the time of Taspar are mainly derived from secondary sources, and that the arguments in these secondary sources vary. Sometimes researchers make suppositions on the existence of information that is not referred to in primary sources. However, this is not normal practice. If a researcher relies on unknowns for the evidence of information existing, it can cause false information, ideas and anachronisms to be created. It is important that primary sources, such as the Chinese sources mentioned above, be translated correctly in language and history studies. If only a word is mistranslated, very different results may occur. Mistranslating or misinterpreting a primary source allows conclusions to be reached that are not supported by dissemination of information from primary sources. This can mislead experts and result in information that is not correct being considered as being true. As well as helping to prevent such misinterpretations occurring, another aim of this paper is to question the interpretations of the first Turkic translations in contemporary studies on history and language. The origin of such assessments will be explored and the validity of that information will be examined.