Electronic and magnetic properties of the monolayer RuCl3_3: A first-principles and Monte Carlo study

Recent experiments revealed that monolayer $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ can be obtain by chemical exfoliation method and exfoliation or restacking of nanosheets can manipulate the magnetic properties of the materials. In this present paper, the electronic and magnetic properties of $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ monolayer are investigated by combining first-principles calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. From first-principles calculations, we found that the spin configuration FM corresponds to the ground state for $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$, however, the other excited zigzag oriented spin configuration has energy of 5 meV/atom higher than the ground state. Energy band gap has been obtained as $3$ meV using PBE functionals. When spin-orbit coupling effect is taken into account, corresponding energy gap is determined to be as $57$ meV. We also investigate the effect of Hubbard U energy terms on the electronic band structure of $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ monolayer and revealed band gap increases approximately linear with increasing U value. Moreover, spin-spin coupling terms ($J_1$, $J_2$, $J_3$) have been obtained using first principles calculations. By benefiting from these terms, Monte Carlo simulations with single site update Metropolis algorithm have been implemented to elucidate magnetic properties of the considered system. Thermal variations of magnetization, susceptibility and also specific heat curves indicate that monolayer $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ exhibits a phase transition between ordered and disordered phases at the Curie temperature $14.21$ K. We believe that this study can be utilized to improve two-dimensional magnet materials

Experimental Assessment of Linear Sampling and Factorization Methods for Microwave Imaging of Concealed Targets

Shape reconstruction methods are particularly well suited for imaging of concealed targets. Yet, these methods are rarely employed in real nondestructive testing applications, since they generally require the electrical parameters of outer object as a priori knowledge. In this regard, we propose an approach to relieve two well known shape reconstruction algorithms, which are the linear sampling and the factorization methods, from the requirement of the a priori knowledge on electrical parameters of the surrounding medium. The idea behind this paper is that if a measurement of the reference medium (a medium which can approximate the material, except the inclusion) can be supplied to these methods, reconstructions with very high qualities can be obtained even when there is no information about the electrical parameters of the surrounding medium. Taking the advantage of this idea, we consider that it is possible to use shape reconstruction methods in buried object detection. To this end, we perform several experiments inside an anechoic chamber to verify the approach against real measurements. Accuracy and stability of the obtained results show that both the linear sampling and the factorization methods can be quite useful for various buried obstacle imaging problems

Turner syndrome and associated problems in turkish children: A multicenter study

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 stenosi) 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 lifespan. © Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology

Prevalence of common mental disorders among Syrian refugee children and adolescents in Sultanbeyli district, Istanbul: results of a population-based survey.

AIMS: Research demonstrates elevated levels of common mental disorders among Syrian refugees, but the majority of studies have, to date, focused on adult populations. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Syrian children and adolescents living in Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: A population-based survey among Syrian children and adolescents aged 8-17 years living in Sultanbeyli district was conducted in 2019, as part of an all-age survey of disability. 80 clusters of 50 participants (all-ages) were selected from the local municipality's refugee registration database using probability proportionate to size sampling. Children aged 8-17 years were assessed for symptoms of common mental disorders using the Child Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) and abbreviated versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED). RESULTS: Of the 852 participants, 23.7% (95% CI 19.9-27.2) screened positive for symptomatic depression, PTSD and anxiety. The prevalence estimates for depression, PTSD and anxiety were 12.5% (95% CI 9.8-15.6), 11.5% (95% CI 9.1-14.4) and 9.2% (95% CI 6.8-12.1), respectively. Depression and PTSD were significantly more common in older adolescents, whilst anxiety and PTSD were significantly more common in girls. Depression was more common in children from poorer households and those who had received no education. Children coming from larger households were less likely to show symptoms of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Syrian refugee children and adolescents are vulnerable to common mental disorders, and culturally appropriate prevention and intervention support are needed for this population

Does the unification of health financing affect the distribution pattern of out‐of‐pocket health expenses in Turkey?

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149529/1/ijsw12389_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149529/2/ijsw12389.pd

Assessment and statistical evaluation of suction characteristics obtained via filter paper technique on zeolite–bentonite mixtures

Filter paper technique (FPT) is known to measure both matric and total suctions in a wide measurement range. However, it has many individual errors due to the uncertainty of calibration curve and sensitivity of the measurements to the temperature and relative humidity variations. Besides, the ASTM procedure for FPT does not specify any sample preparation and repetition for experiments. In this regard, this study covers the reliability of suction measurements using the FPT and its application on zeolite–bentonite mixtures (ZBMs), which were proposed for use of liner material in the literature. A calibration curve for Whatman No. 42 filter paper was constructed and compared to the other calibration curves given in the literature. Due to large scatter of calibration curves, total suction measurement is found to be inconvenient for suction values under 1000 kPa. An improvement in sample preparation and necessary minimum numbers of tests are also suggested. When preparing the test specimen, the compacted sample is recommended not to be cut but to be compacted separately as upper and lower parts where the contact filter paper to be placed in between in order to obtain good contact area to measure the matric suction accurately. The necessary minimum numbers of tests for ± 10% accuracy band in a confidence level of 95% for ASTM procedure on ZBMs are suggested. Repetitions were found to vary depending on the suction type and bentonite content. Repetitions of six and eight times are recommended for 10% ZBMs for matric and total suction measurements, respectively. Similarly, for 20% ZBMs the repetitions of six and ten times are found for matric and total suction measurements, respectively. In addition, the influence of index properties and compaction states on suction was also investigated. Matric suction values decrease from dry of optimum water content to the wet of optimum water content and approach to zero for higher water contents. The suction values are found to increase with decreasing water contents where the dry density and the void ratio were constant. On the other hand, for a given water content, matric suction values are found to be increasing with increasing dry densities, while the void ratio was decreasing being more evident at relatively higher saturation degrees. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany

Water, Politics and Dams in the Mesopotamia Basin of the Northern Middle East : How Turkey Instrumentalises the South-Eastern Anatolia Project for Political, Military and Strategic Interests

Iran, Iraq and Turkey, and to a lesser extent Syria, are often said to be the water-rich exceptions in a broad, water-deficient northern Africa and Middle East region (Siddiqi and Anadon 2011: 13). Yet, groundwater levels and water availability are falling in the wider Middle East region generally, and the future prospects are dim. According to NASA, the Levant region, comprising Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey, is experiencing its worst drought for nine centuries. Moreover, groundwater levels are decreasing as a result of a higher rate of extraction than recharging, while the quality of the water is at also risk due to environmental pollution (Tropp 2006). The river from which Jordan took its country name is beginning to run dry (Zurayk 2014). Iran, Iraq and Turkey, as well as Syria, are also experiencing increasing periods of drought and serious water crises (Kömüşcü et al. 2005; Barnes 2009; Douglas et al. 2010; Al-Ansari 2013; Gleick 2014; Lund 2014; Madani 2014). An increased intensity of drought is also reported in these countries (Kelleya et al. 2015; Ahmadi 2018;)