Determination of Plastic Limit by Fall Cone Test for Soils with Different Grain Size Distribution

Compaction parameters and consistency limits are fundamental engineering properties considered in the design of geotechnical applications. It is important to compare these parameters derived from experimental studies with the equations proposed in the literature or alternative methods. This study determined the plastic limit values of soils with different grain size distributions and different consistency limits using the relationship between penetration depth and water content from the fall cone test, employing a cone with 30° and 80 g characteristics. The method for determining the plastic limits has been developed based on a wide range of data. It defines the water content corresponding to a 3 mm penetration of the cone into the soil as the plastic limit. The plastic limit values determined by the proposed method were tested with a comprehensive dataset compiled from literature studies. The results indicated a satisfactory correlation between the plastic limits determined by the tread rolling method and those determined by the proposed method (R2 = 0.76). Furthermore, the compaction parameters obtained from the standard compaction tests were investigated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses, with consideration given to the liquid and plastic limits determined from the fall cone tests. The findings indicate that the compaction parameters can be predicted with high coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.89) using the plastic and liquid limits determined from the relationship between water content and penetration depth in the fall cone tests

Potentiality of Some Agricultural Residues and Industrial Wastes As Manure

Composting is one of the applied methods to organic waste disposal methods. In this study, some agricultural and industrial organic wastes of agricultural sector are composted, as different compositions, to see whether they are usable as agricultural aids. To this end, apple juice factory waste (AW), cigarette factory waste (TW), leather processing factory waste (LW), organic wastes, namely wheat stalk (WW) and corn stalk (CW) material are used as composted material. Indore method of composting process was adopted; seven different compositions prepared from the aforementioned organic wastes were prepared. Laboratory experiments were carried out in conditions according to a pattern of coincidence plot experiment that was carried out by three replications. Prepared at room temperature, the mixtures (20-25 degrees C) were left to decompose for six months. Compost mixtures were mixed carefully every 10 to 15 days. Finally after 6 months compost mixtures were found to be fully composted. Obtained 7 different composts, yield analysis were determined and the effects of these mixtures on soil when applied in certain proportions in previously unused pots and on oat plant (Avena sativa L.) which was cultivated were determined. Plants were allowed to grow for a period of 45 days and then they were harvested to determine their dry weight and N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn contents. Results of the statistical analysis in terms of variance analysis and Duncan test were obtained. According to the results; N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents of seven different compost mixtures were found to be between 4.03 and 9.24 g kg(-1); 0.09 and 0.92 g kg(-1); 10.0 and 24.2 and g kg(-1); 5.3 and 14.2 mg kg(-1); 1.50 and 2.80 mg kg-1; 6.20 and 12.3 mg kg(-1); 19.7 and 27.2 mg kg(-1), respectively. Electrical conductivity of seven different compost mixtures was measured between 1,750 and 11,100 mu mhos cm(-1); pH was found to be between 6.85 and 8.32 and C/N was detected to be between 8.9 and 28.2. Compared to the control, all seven compost mixtures were found to increase plant yield and this increase was found to be between 6% and 45%. Based on the results, all compost mixtures, especially three compost mixtures (since they gave statistically significant difference), were found to increase soil fertility as well as plant yield being as useful in agriculture

Potentiality of Some Agricultural Residues and Industrial Wastes As Manure

Composting is one of the applied methods to organic waste disposal methods. In this study, some agricultural and industrial organic wastes of agricultural sector are composted, as different compositions, to see whether they are usable as agricultural aids. To this end, apple juice factory waste (AW), cigarette factory waste (TW), leather processing factory waste (LW), organic wastes, namely wheat stalk (WW) and corn stalk (CW) material are used as composted material. Indore method of composting process was adopted; seven different compositions prepared from the aforementioned organic wastes were prepared. Laboratory experiments were carried out in conditions according to a pattern of coincidence plot experiment that was carried out by three replications. Prepared at room temperature, the mixtures (20-25 degrees C) were left to decompose for six months. Compost mixtures were mixed carefully every 10 to 15 days. Finally after 6 months compost mixtures were found to be fully composted. Obtained 7 different composts, yield analysis were determined and the effects of these mixtures on soil when applied in certain proportions in previously unused pots and on oat plant (Avena sativa L.) which was cultivated were determined. Plants were allowed to grow for a period of 45 days and then they were harvested to determine their dry weight and N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn contents. Results of the statistical analysis in terms of variance analysis and Duncan test were obtained. According to the results; N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents of seven different compost mixtures were found to be between 4.03 and 9.24 g kg(-1); 0.09 and 0.92 g kg(-1); 10.0 and 24.2 and g kg(-1); 5.3 and 14.2 mg kg(-1); 1.50 and 2.80 mg kg-1; 6.20 and 12.3 mg kg(-1); 19.7 and 27.2 mg kg(-1), respectively. Electrical conductivity of seven different compost mixtures was measured between 1,750 and 11,100 mu mhos cm(-1); pH was found to be between 6.85 and 8.32 and C/N was detected to be between 8.9 and 28.2. Compared to the control, all seven compost mixtures were found to increase plant yield and this increase was found to be between 6% and 45%. Based on the results, all compost mixtures, especially three compost mixtures (since they gave statistically significant difference), were found to increase soil fertility as well as plant yield being as useful in agriculture

Andırın-Çiğsar Bölgesi Kiraz Bahçesi Topraklarının Bazı Fiziko-Kimyasal Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Tarımsal üretimin sürdürülebilirliği, bitkilerin dengeli beslemesi ile mümkündür. Bitkilerin dengeli beslenebilmesi için toprak özelliklerinin bilinmesi gerekmektedir. Bu bağlamda, Kahramanmaraş-Andırın ilçesi Çiğşar bölgesinde kiraz bahçelerinde, 24 farklı noktadan 0-30 ve 30-60 cm derinlikten tesadüfî örnekleme yöntemine göre toprak örnekleri alınmıştır. Alınan toprak örneklerinde tekstür, hidrolik iletkenlik (Hİ), tarla kapasitesi (TK), solma noktası (DSN), saturasyon yüzdesi (SY) yarayışlı su miktarı (YS), pH, kireç, tuz, organik madde (OM), alınabilir kalsiyum (Ca), magnezyum (Mg), fosfor (P2O5), potasyum (K2O), demir (Fe), bakır (Cu), çinko (Zn) ve mangan (Mn) analizleri yapılmıştır. Toprakların 0-30 ve 30-60 cm toprak derinliğinde ortalama pH, kireç, OM, TK, DSN, YS, Hİ ve SY sırası ile; 8.01-8.05, %24,6-24.5, % 3,39-3.21, %34.9-34.6, %22.6-22.1, % 12.2-12.5, 0.67-0.73 cm/saat, %47.5-47.3 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Toprakların (0-30 ve 30-60 cm) ortalama makro (Ca, Mg, K2O ve P2O5) ve mikro (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) element içerikleri genel olarak yeterli ya da fazla sınıfında yer almıştır. Toprakların üst ve alt derinlikleri için yapılan bağımlı t testine göre, toprak özelliklerinden pH, K2O, Cu ve Mn değişkenleri istatistiksel olarak (p<0.05) birbirinden farklı bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak bölge toprakları genel olarak değerlendirildiğinde, kiraz beslenmesini, verim ve kaliteyi olumsuz yönde etkileyen faktörlerin yüksek pH, kireç ve kil içeriği olduğu söylenebilir. Bu nedenle, yüksek kil, pH ve kirecin olduğu alanlarda organik madde (hayvan gübresi, kompost, leonardit), humik asit ve kükürt gibi materyallerin uygulanması önerilebilir

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome

Nötral baş pozisyonunda karotis arter palpasyonu yardımıyla internal jugular ven kanülasyonunun başarı oranı

Amaç: İnternal jugular ven İJV kanülasyonu bazı klinik durumlarda baş nötral pozisyonda tutularak yapılmalıdır. Ancak bu pozisyonda hangi anatomik işaretleme noktasının kullanılması gerektiği açık değildir. Bu çalışmanın amacı baş nötral pozisyonda iken karotis arter KA palpasyonu kullanılarak yapılan sağ İJV kanülasyonunun başarı oranlarını araştırmaktır. Gereç ve yöntem: Bu prospektif randomize çalışma iki aşamada dizayn edildi. Birinci aşama: Birbirini takip eden 30 servikal bilgisayarlı tomografi görüntüsü çalışma öncesi sağ İJV ve KA arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek için incelendi. İkinci aşama: Sağ İJV kanülasyonu yapılması planlanan toplam 150 hasta çalışmaya alındı. Hastaların başı nötral pozisyonda tutuldu. Genel anestezi altında trendelenburg pozisyonu ve soluk sonu pozitif basınç uygulandı. Sağ İJV kanülasyonu 10 farklı klinisyen tarafından KA palpasyonu işaret noktası alınarak, iğneye medial yada laterale açı verilmeksizin uygulandı. Öncelikli hedefimiz iğne ile ilk üç girişimde sağ İJV ulaşabilme başarı oranlarının belirlenmesi idi. Bulgular: İğnenin toplam üç girişimde sağ İJV’ye ulaşma oranı %96,7 idi. Klinisyenler arasında başarı oranları açısından istatistiksel fark yoktu. Hastaların hiçbirinde KA delinmedi. Sonuç: Başın nötral pozisyonda tutulduğu hastalarda sağ İJV kanülasyonu için yüksek başarı oranlarından dolayı KA işaret noktası olarak etkili bir şekilde kullanılabili

Preventing internalizing problems in 6-8 year old children: A universal school-based program

The Aussie Optimism Program: Feelings and Friends (AOP-FF) is a 10 week, universal mental health promotion program based on social/emotional and cognitive and behavioral strategies. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a universal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based program in preventing and reducing internalizing problems in 6-8 year olds (Years 1-3 in Australia). Year 1-3 students from a low SES primary school (N = 206) were randomly assigned in classes to either an intervention or a control group and assessed at baseline and post-test. Results showed a significant (p = 0.009) and small to moderate (partial eta-squared = 0.034) pre-post decrease in parent-reported anxiety symptoms for the intervention group, in conjunction with a non-significant (p = 0.708) and negligible (partial eta-squared = 0.001) pre-post increase for the control group. A larger randomized controlled trial assessing longer term effects is needed. In addition the program needs to be simplified for year 1-2 students with a separate more developmentally appropriate program for year 3 students

Sex difference and intra-operative tidal volume: Insights from the LAS VEGAS study

BACKGROUND: One key element of lung-protective ventilation is the use of a low tidal volume (VT). A sex difference in use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) has been described in critically ill ICU patients.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether a sex difference in use of LTVV also exists in operating room patients, and if present what factors drive this difference.DESIGN, PATIENTS AND SETTING: This is a posthoc analysis of LAS VEGAS, a 1-week worldwide observational study in adults requiring intra-operative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals in 29 countries.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women and men were compared with respect to use of LTVV, defined as VT of 8 ml kg-1 or less predicted bodyweight (PBW). A VT was deemed 'default' if the set VT was a round number. A mediation analysis assessed which factors may explain the sex difference in use of LTVV during intra-operative ventilation.RESULTS: This analysis includes 9864 patients, of whom 5425 (55%) were women. A default VT was often set, both in women and men; mode VT was 500 ml. Median [IQR] VT was higher in women than in men (8.6 [7.7 to 9.6] vs. 7.6 [6.8 to 8.4] ml kg-1 PBW, P &lt; 0.001). Compared with men, women were twice as likely not to receive LTVV [68.8 vs. 36.0%; relative risk ratio 2.1 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.1), P &lt; 0.001]. In the mediation analysis, patients' height and actual body weight (ABW) explained 81 and 18% of the sex difference in use of LTVV, respectively; it was not explained by the use of a default VT.CONCLUSION: In this worldwide cohort of patients receiving intra-operative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery, women received a higher VT than men during intra-operative ventilation. The risk for a female not to receive LTVV during surgery was double that of males. Height and ABW were the two mediators of the sex difference in use of LTVV.TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01601223