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Introduction: There are significant differences in the active cases and fatality rates of Covid-19 for different European countries. Methodology: The present study employs Monte Carlo based transmission growth simulations for Italy, Germany and Turkey. The probabilities of transmission at home, work and social networks and the number of initial cases have been calibrated to match the basic reproduction number and the reported fatality curves. Parametric studies were conducted to observe the effect of social distancing, work closure, testing and quarantine of the family and colleagues of positively tested individuals. Results: It is observed that estimates of the number of initial cases in Italy compared to Turkey and Germany are higher. Turkey will probably experience about 30% less number of fatalities than Germany due its smaller elderly population. If social distancing and work contacts are limited to 25% of daily routines, Germany and Turkey may limit the number of fatalities to a few thousands as the reproduction number decreases to about 1.3 from 2.8. Random testing may reduce the number of fatalities by 10% upon testing least 5/1000 of the population. Quarantining of family and workmates of positively tested individuals may reduce the total number of fatalities by about 50%. Conclusions: The fatality rate of Covid-19 is estimated to be about 1.5% based on the simulation results. This may further be reduced by limiting the number of non-family contacts to two, conducting tests more than 0.5% of the population and immediate quarantine of the contacts for positively tested individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the result of an extensive series of experimental investigation carried out in triaxial and cyclic direct shear tests on sands having various properties, which were obtained from different locations in Turkey and in Northern Cyprus. In order to investigate the link between strength and physical properties (i.e., shape) of the sand particles, three series of triaxial tests (Consolidated-Drained, CD; Consolidated-Undrained, CU; and Unconsolidated-Undrained, UU) for each were performed under three different confining pressure values (450kPa, 500kPa, and 550kPa) with a back pressure of 400kPa. The cyclic shear behaviour of the sands was tested by considering the normal stresses of 50kPa, 100kPa, and 150kPa. Experimental results in both triaxial and cyclic direct shear tests showed a relation between the physical properties of the sands and the behaviour of them under monotonic and cyclic loading. The given pictures show the physical differences/similarities among the sands used during the investigation. The goal of the presented experimental investigation is to have an understanding of the behaviour due to shape characteristics (i.e., roundness, sphericity) of these four types of sands (Narli, Birecik, Trakya, and Crushed Stone), which are widely used in earthwork projects in certain parts of Turkey and Northern Cyprus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]