Investigation of Stone Masonry Construction Techniques and Material Properties in Hatay and Osmaniye after the 2023 Turkey Earthquake Sequence

The eleven Turkish provinces affected by the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes featured historic citieswhich are home to numerous stone masonry structures. Scientific evaluations of the earthquake response ofthese structures requires knowledge of the construction techniques as well as the mechanical properties ofthe constituent masonry materials (stone and mortar). However, limited research has been conducted on theseaspects to date. To address this research gap, a post-earthquake field study was conducted on monumentalstructures located in two of the affected provinces (Hatay and Osmaniye). The paper first provides a survey ofdamage observations from the field; these highlight the significant role of masonry disaggregation in collapsemechanisms. To understand the reasons for disaggregation failures, construction techniques are investigatedsystematically using the Masonry Quality Index (MQI). The use of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, Schmidt ReboundHammer and Mortar Penetrometer devices to quantify mechanical properties of stone and mortar is thenpresented. Examples are provided to demonstrate how the construction technique and material property datainforms our understanding of damage mechanisms

Evaluation of skin dose associated with different frequencies of bolus applications in post-mastectomy three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study aimed to calculate chest-wall skin dose associated with different frequencies of bolus applications in post-mastectomy three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and to provide detailed information in the selection of an appropriate bolus regimen in this clinical setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CT-Simulation scans of 22 post-mastectomy patients were used. Chest wall for clinical target volume (CTV) and a volume including 2-mm surface thickness of the chest wall for skin structures were delineated. Precise PLAN 2.11 treatment planning system (TPS) was used for 3D-CRT planning. 50 Gy in 25 fractions were prescribed using tangential fields and 6-MV photons. Six different frequencies of bolus applications (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25) were administered. Cumulative dose-volume histograms were generated for each bolus regimen. The minimum, maximum and mean skin doses associated with the bolus regimens were compared. To test the accuracy of TPS dose calculations, experimental measurements were performed using EBT gafchromic films.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean, minimum and maximum skin doses were significantly increased with increasing days of bolus applications (p < 0.001). The minimum skin doses for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days of bolus applications were 73.0% ± 2.0%, 78.2% ± 2.0%, 83.3% ± 1.7%, 88.3% ± 1.6%, 92.2% ± 1.7%, and 93.8% ± 1.8%, respectively. The minimum skin dose increments between 20 and 25 (1.6% ± 1.0%), and 15 and 20 (4.0% ± 1.0%) days of bolus applications were significantly lower than the dose increments between 0 and 5 (5.2% ± 0.6%), 5 and 10 (5.1% ± 0.8%), and 10 and 15 (4.9% ± 0.8%) days of bolus applications (p < 0.001). The maximum skin doses for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days of bolus applications were 110.1% ± 1.1%, 110.3% ± 1.1%, 110.5% ± 1.2%, 110.8% ± 1.3%, 111.2% ± 1.5%, and 112.2% ± 1.7%, respectively. The maximum skin dose increments between 20 and 25 (1.0% ± 0.6%), and 15 and 20 (0.4% ± 0.3%) days of bolus applications were significantly higher than the dose increments between 0 and 5 (0.2% ± 0.2%), 5 and 10 (0.2% ± 0.2%), and 10 and 15 (0.2% ± 0.2%) days of bolus applications (p ≤ 0.003). The TPS overestimated the near-surface dose 10.8% at 2-mm below the skin surface.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In post-mastectomy 3D-CRT, using a 1-cm thick bolus in up to 15 of the total 25 fractions increased minimum skin doses with a tolerable increase in maximum doses.</p

Effects of minimal extracorporeal circulation on the systemic inflammatory response and the need for transfusion after coronary bypass grafting surgery

Objectives. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of the minimal extracorporeal circulation (MiECT) on postoperative systemic inflammatory response and the need for transfusion in patients undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods. Patients were divided into two groups; Group M (n=31) included the patients operated via using the MiECT system and Group C (n=27) included the patients operated via using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Perioperative markers of inflammation after cardiopulmonary bypass in both groups were tested by measuring the levels via chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Blood samples were taken consecutively after anesthesia induction, 30th minute of CPB, on the 6th, 24th, and 48th hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. Results. The mean amount of priming solution was significantly lower in Group M when compared to Group C (802.60 ± 48.26 and 1603.71 ± 49.85 ml). The mean hematocrit (Hct) value taken immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass was found to be significantly higher in the MiECT patients with respect to the other group (% 32.71 ± 3.98 and % 28.82 ± 4.39). The transfused amounts of erythrocyte suspension and fresh frozen plasma were found to be significantly lower in patients in Group M when compared to those in Group C. Postoperative mediastinal drainage was also significantly lower in patients in Group M with respect to the other group. There was no significant difference between markers of inflammation. Conclusion. Our results show that MiECT seems to be more advantageous in terms of priming volume, perioperative hematocrit levels, need for blood and blood product transfusion, and mediastinal drainage with respect to the conventional approach after coronary artery bypass grafting