Figure 1: Simple block diagram of a SiGe BiCMOS On chip T/R module 4-Bit SiGe Phase Shifter using Distributed Active Switches and Variable Gain Amplifier For X-Band Phased Array Applications

Abstract-This paper presents a 4-bit digitally controlled phase shifter for X-band (8-12.5 GHz) phased-arrays, implemented in 0.25-µm SiGe BiCMOS process. Distributed active switches are utilized in first three bits. On-chip inductances are used to provide 22.5° phase shift steps. The placement and the geometry of these inductances are optimized for minimum phase error and insertion loss. In order to compensate the gain variations of this stage, a single stage variable gain amplifier is used. The fourth bit which provides 0/180° phase shift is obtained in third amplification stage, with switching between common basecommon emitter configuration. With utilization of this technique overall phase error is significantly decreased and overall gain is increased. The phase shifter achieves 7dB gain with 3 dB of gain error. 360° phase shift is achieved in 4 bit resolution with a phase error of 0.5° at center frequency of 10GHz, and maximum 22° phase error in 4.5 GHz bandwidth. The chip size is 2150 µm x 1040 µm including the bondpads. These performance parameters are comparable with the state of the art using similar technology

Safety and efficacy of PNL vs RIRS in the management of stones located in horseshoe kidneys: A critical comparative evaluation

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of two different techniques (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) vs Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS)) in the management of stones in patients with horseshoe kidneys (HSK). Patients and methods: Departmental files of 88 cases with radiopaque kidney stones in horseshoe kidneys undergoing two different approaches (PNL vs RIRS) were evaluated with respect to the success and complication rates of in a retrospective manner. In addition to the factors related with the procedures (success and complication rates, additional procedures), patient and stone characteristics were all well evaluated. Findings obtained in both groups were evaluated in a comparative manner with respect to the statistical significance. Results: Stone free rates were comparable in both groups after 1-week period (81.6% PNL vs 80% RIRS). As well as 3 months evaluation (84.2% PNL and 82.0% RIRS). The percentage of the cases with residual fragments (> 4 mm) were similar in both groups and while all PNL procedures were completed in one session, mean number of RIRS sessions was higher (1.22 ± 0.05). Mean duration of the procedure was slightly higher in RIRS group and based on Clavien scoring system, despite a higher risk of Hb drop noted in patients treated with PNL, all complication rates were found to be similar in both groups. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that of the available minimally invasive treatment alternatives, both PNL and RIRS could be safe and effective alternatives for renal stone removal in patients with HSK

A wideband high isolation CMOS T/R switch for x-band phased array radar systems

This paper presents an SPDT switch which is designed to operate at 8-12 GHz frequency range (X-Band), as a sub module of the front end circuit of a phased array radar. The switch distinguishes itself from its counterparts with its larger frequency range and higher isolation that is uniformly distributed over its bandwidth. It is fabricated using 0.25 mu m SiGe BiCMOS technology of IHP Microelectronics (Germany). As a new technique, shunt inductors are placed next to shunt transistors in order to improve trade-off between insertion loss and isolation. It has isolation higher than 30 dB in entire band, input referred 1dB compression point is 27.6 dBm, insertion loss is between 2.7-4.1 dB, input and output referred return losses are better than 11 dB in the frequency range of 8-12 Gliz

A nationwide multicentre study in Turkey for establishing reference intervals of haematological parameters with novel use of a panel of whole blood

IntroductionA nationwide multicentre study was conducted to establish well-defined reference intervals (RIs) of haematological parameters for the Turkish population in consideration of sources of variation in reference values (RVs). Materials and methodsK2-EDTA whole blood samples (total of 3363) were collected from 12 laboratories. Sera were also collected for measurements of iron, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin for use in the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method. The blood samples were analysed within 2 hours in each laboratory using Cell Dyn and Ruby (Abbott), LH780 (Beckman Coulter), or XT-2000i (Sysmex). A panel of freshly prepared blood from 40 healthy volunteers was measured in common to assess any analyser-dependent bias in the measurements. The SD ratio (SDR) based on ANOVA was used to judge the need for partitioning RVs. RIs were computed by the parametric method with/without applying the LAVE method. ResultsAnalyser-dependent bias was found for basophils (Bas), MCHC, RDW and MPV from the panel test results and thus those RIs were derived for each manufacturer. RIs were determined from all volunteers’ results for WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, MCV, MCH and platelets. Gender-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, UIBC and ferritin. Region-specific RIs were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, UIBC, and TIBC. ConclusionsWith the novel use of a freshly prepared blood panel, manufacturer-specific RIs’ were derived for Bas, Bas%, MCHC, RDW and MPV. Regional differences in RIs were observed among the 7 regions of Turkey, which may be attributed to nutritional or environmental factors, including altitude

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Confined deep water system development on the accretionary wedge (Miocene, Kahramanmaras Foreland Basin, S turkey)

WOS: 000309620500001According to theoretical studies, the foreland basin consists of: accretionary wedge (including wedge top or piggyback basin), foredeep, forebulge and backbulge depozones. All of them are parallel to the orogenic belts of the overlying and underlying plates. The closure of the southern branch of the Neotethys during the Late Cretaceous led to an oblique collision of the Arabian Plate and the Anatolide-Taurides Platform, leading to the development of the Miocene Kahramanmaras Foreland Basin (KFB). Thus, the promontory shape of the Arabian Plate prevented the development of an accretionary wedge parallel to the orogenic belt. The accretionary wedge of the KFB includes blocks of various sizes and age (mainly Mesozoic limestone) scattered within an Early Tertiary matrix (mass wasting deposits and shallow to deep marine sediments). At the beginning of the Miocene, transtensional tectonism led to the development of half-graben basins on top of the accretionary wedge. These basins (namely: the Tekir and Cukurhisar) also cut the foredeep of the KFB obliquely (in contrast with the theoretical study). This paper focuses on the evolution and fillings of those basins. Initially, claystone and basin margin reef deposits filled the half-graben basins as a consequence of the Lower Miocene sea invasion. Then, long and narrow conglomeratic channels starting from the northern edge of the basins (fan-delta) progressed southwards, passing into sandy lobes, then into claystones. An activation of the boundary faults of the wedge top basin stopped the progression of the Lower Middle Miocene sediments and led to their deformation. Then, the sedimentation of the KFB shifted towards the basin centre during the Middle Miocene. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Research Fund of cukurova UniversityCukurova University [MMF 2003 D1]; TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK)The authors express their gratitude to Prof. Dr. Atike Nazik, Prof. Dr. Niyazi Avsar (cukurova University) and Assist. Prof. Dr. Guldemin Darbas (Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University) for their help with the palaeontological data. The authors are also grateful for financial support provided by the Research Fund of cukurova University (Grant MMF 2003 D1) and TUBITAK. We also thank to two anonymous reviewers and editor (Prof. Dr. A. D. Miall) for their comments, which enhanced this paper

Provenance of the northern part of the Kahramanmaras Peripheral Foreland Basin (Miocene, S Turkey)

WOS: 000286846400004The Miocene Miocene Kahramanmaras Peripheral Foreland Basin (KPFB) resemble to classic foreland basin model, with small differences. In the classic model, both the accretionary wedge and foredeep extend lengthways parallel to the plate margin. In addition, accretionary wedge includes wedge top basin or piggy back basin that extends parallel to foredeep. However, the accretionary wedge of the KPFB contains small half-graben type basins that obliquely intersect the plate margin between the Arabian Plate and the Anatolide-Taurides Platform (due to the irregular shape of the plate boundary). Tectonic lineaments controlled the shape and orientation of these basins and larger main depocentre of the KFPB, which were predominantly filled with deep-sea sediments. This paper focuses on the provenance of features of the KFPB, predominantly was fed from the northern basin margin, while also aiming to resolve the complex basin evolution that occurred during the Miocene. Clasts of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic limestone and ophiolites are common components of the confined deep-water clastic systems, which evolved as elongated trenches in the north-western sector of the KPFB during the Early-Middle Miocene. During the Middle Miocene, continuous thrusting of the northern basin margin to south caused depocentre migration to south-east, through the basin interior. At that time, the north-east and central depocentres of the KPFB were filled primarily by clasts of ophiolite and metamorphic units. The tectonic control on basin fill architecture can be observed anywhere in the KFPB. The principal tectonic features controlled the geometry and orientation of the canyon, the channel geometry of the deep-water slope on the northern basin margin, the frequency and distribution of slump-slide-debris flows and the overall pattern of sedimentation cycles in the stratigraphy of the slope and the central basin floor. Some basin sectors have continuously reactivated and as a result, different sediment entry points with substantial local accumulation of sediment and deformation have evolved on the slope and basin floor. Three scales of provenance were used to investigate the source rock: (a) field-based observation and analysis of conglomerate clasts, (b) modal analysis of sandstone facies and (c) geochemical analysis, all of which were in agreement. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Cukurova UniversityCukurova University [MMF2003BAP1, MMF2003D1]; Aberdeen University, Scotland; UNOCAL, BPThe authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Cukurova University Research Funds MMF2003BAP1 and MMF2003D1 and also the "Turkey 2 Consortium Project of deep-sea sediment" from Aberdeen University, Scotland, sponsored by UNOCAL, BP and ConocoPhillips. Dr. Gill would also like to thank TUBITAK for his PhD scholarship. The authors warmly thank Andrew Racey from BG Energy for chemical analysis of samples and Dr. N. Emre Altun from Mug la University for his editorial contribution. Finally the authors thank Dr. Sarah Boulton, an anonymous reviewer and Prof. Dr. Boris Natalin (associate editor) for their constructive criticism of the paper