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Russia's return to Middle East and North Africa has become more evident since it intervened in Syria in 2015 at the request of Bashar al-Assad. Debates regarding Moscow's attitude have [...]

We examine de facto autonomy across regulatory agencies and policy sectors. Yet not much is known whether, how and why de facto autonomy could vary across policy areas within the same policy sector. This article demonstrates the existence of such variation and suggests that this variation depends on the interplay between stakeholders' diverging (or overlapping) policy preferences, deficient (or superior) organizational policy capacity, and institutional arrangements leading to enabled (or constrained) de facto autonomy. Relying on elite interviews and secondary resources, this study builds on an illustrative study on bank regulation in Turkey in the post‐GFC period and presents a nuanced understanding of de facto autonomy: a multi‐policy area approach to de facto autonomy that allows us to examine variation in de facto autonomy across policy areas, the determinants of the variation, and whether de facto autonomy is constrained or enabled, which structures the regulatory policy process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiFe1−xEuxPO4 (x = 0–0.1) samples were successfully fabricated by glass–ceramics technique quenching from high temperature. Thermal properties were analyzed by DTA analysis. Crystallization activation energy and Avrami parameters were calculated depending on the Eu content and heating rates. The XRD analysis shows that there are two-phases of LiFePO4 and Li3Fe2P3O12 which compete with Eu-doping in the samples and it is found that the x = 0.02 sample has the lowest impurity phases. The battery cells exhibit similar cycling voltammetry (CV) data with the undoped LiFePO4 battery cells. The charging/discharging cycles measurements were done for C/2-rate at room conditions and the best capacity value for C/2-rate was obtained as 149.4 mAh/g for x = 0.02 Eu-doped sample. Although the best capacity was obtained for x = 0.02, the best capacity fade was obtained for x = 0.03 Eu-doped sample. C-rate measurements provided that x = 0.02 cells have the promising results for the battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and preparation of transition‐metal complexes with Schiff base ligands are of interest due to their potential applications in the fields of molecular magnetism, nonlinear optics, dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), sensing and photoluminescence. Luminescent metal complexes have been suggested as potential phosphors in electroluminescent devices. A new luminescent nickel(II) complex, [Ni(C10H10Cl2NO2)2], has been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and elemental analysis, UV–Vis, FT–IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and photoluminescence spectroscopies, and LC–MS/MS. Molecules of the complex in the crystals lie on special positions, on crystallographic binary rotation axes. The NiII atoms are six‐coordinated by two phenolate O, two imine N and two hydroxy O atoms from two tridentate Schiff base 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐[(2‐hydroxypropyl)iminomethyl]phenolate ligands, forming an elongated octahedral geometry. Furthermore, the complex exhibits a strong green luminescence emission in the solid state at room temperature, as can be seen from the (CIE) chromaticity diagram, and hence the complex may be a promising green OLED (organic light‐emitting diode) in the development of electroluminescent materials for flat‐panel‐display applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of carbonic agent and nanoclay loading level on the properties of the added flame retardant and plasticized polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Pentaerythritol (PER) was used as a carbonic agent in the composites. The flammability behaviour of these composites was investigated with the increasing nanoclay loading level. Flame retardant properties of plasticized PLA composites, which consist of PER and nanoclay as a synergistic agent, were evaluated. While the nanoclay loading levels were changed between 1-5 wt% of these samples, PER loading levels were fixed at 2 wt%. Besides, effects of increased PER loading level were also investigated with 3 wt% clay loading. Samples were produced by extrusion and injection molding techniques. The morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties were studied. The flammability was evaluated by Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) and vertical burning test (UL-94). The results showed that the increased PER level did not significantly change LOI values of the PLA-based nanocomposites. In addition, the highest LOI value was observed as 32 for 1 wt% nanoclay including a sample. While adding PER to the PLA/PEG/TPP increased the elongation at break value, addition of the nanoclay decreased this value for nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal reactions of lanthanide metal salts with 2-sulfoterephthalate (2-stp) and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) led to three coordination polymers, {[Ln(2-stp)(4,4′-bipy)(H 2 O)]·(H 2 O)}, [Ln = Gd ( 1 ), Ho ( 2 ) and Sm ( 3 )]. Their structures have been established by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Complexes 1 – 3 are isostructural with 2D framework in which all Ln III atoms are nine-coordinated. All these 2D layers are further interlinked via hydrogen bonds resulting in 3D architecture. The solid-state photoluminescence measurements display the characteristic luminescence of Ho ( 2 ) and Sm ( 3 ), which is due to efficient energy transfer from the ligands to the central Ln III ions via an “antenna effect”. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and isothermal magnetization as function of external magnetic field for 1 – 3 is studied which reveal mainly the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions and the thermal depopulation of Stark sublevels together with crystal field affects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we investigate the relationship between soluble Klotho (s-Klotho) levels, markers of bone mineral metabolism and arterial stiffness in 109 diabetic nephropathy patients (median age 61.00± 9.77 years) and 32 healthy controls (median age 49.23 ± 7.32 years). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of s- Klotho, and FGF23, serum creatinine, Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25hD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure were also measured using a combined monitor. RESULTS: s-Klotho, FGF23 and PTH levels were significantly higher and 25hD was significantly lower in the patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and PWV were also significantly higher in the patients (p < 0.001). s-Klotho, FGF23 and 25hD levels significantly varied between sub-groups according to CKD stages, defined according to the CKD epidemiology collaboration equation. A strong positive correlation was found between s-Klotho and FGF23 (r = 0.768, p = 0.001) levels, but not with other bone mineral metabolism, blood pressure or arterial stiffness parameters. Creatinine levels significantly differed (p = 0.009) between three s-Klotho-level subgroups, with the high creatinine levels in the sub-group with the lowest s-Klotho levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between eGFR and s-Klotho levels. Arterial stiffness increased in CKD but was not related to s- Klotho or FGF23 levels. Among all parameters, FGF23 levels had the greatest effect on s- Klotho levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choledochal cysts are an uncommon anomaly of unknown etiology of the bilious system. This anomaly, characterized by cystic dilatations on intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts, can be seen at any age from birth. Most rare congenital bile duct cysts choledochocele (type III) is usually diagnosed in adults. Since the congenital choledochal cyst has not a unique clinical finding, the basic criteria for diagnosis are based on imaging findings. This article presents a case of choledochoceleaccompanying.recurrent pancreatitis in a 19-year-old male patient.

Environmental noise has become an important issue in urban life quality. Policy makers, local authorities and researchers have been trying to solve this issue in a smart way. In this study, it was examined the recreational noise pollution and management strategies already applied in two cities of Antalya and Konya respectively located in Mediterrnaean and Middle Anatolian Region in Turkey. For Antalya City, the strategic noise map, noise complaint data and noise assessment reports for entertainment places were evaluated. For Konya City, it was assessed the strategic noise map and the environmental noise monitoring system which can be considered as one of the first applicable system in Turkey in terms of noise management. Under the light of the applications in two cities, it is recommended that improving and installing the environmental noise monitoring system as a communicative tool in noise policy applications may be beneficial especially for the recrational noise pollution control in order to achieve effective noise complaint management and to provide dynamic noise maps.Moreover, designing quiet areas as buffering zone by using the soundscape approach may also be an innovative way in mitigating the noise annoyance due to recreational noise pollution in residential areas.

Environmental noise has become an important issue in urban life quality. Policy makers, local authorities and researchers have been trying to solve this issue in a smart way. In this study, it was examined the recreational noise pollution and management strategies already applied in two cities of Antalya and Konya respectively located in Mediterranean and Middle Anatolian Region in Turkey. For Antalya City, the strategic noise map, noise complaint data and noise assessment reports for entertainment places were evaluated. For Konya City, it was assessed the strategic noise map and the environmental noise monitoring system which can be considered as one of the first applicable system in Turkey in terms of noise management. Under the light of the applications in two cities, it is recommended that improving and installing the environmental noise monitoring system as a communicative tool in noise policy applications may be beneficial especially for the recrational noise pollution control in order to achieve effective noise complaint management and to provide dynamic noise maps.Moreover, designing quiet areas as buffering zone by using the soundscape approach may also be an innovative way in mitigating the noise annoyance due to recreational noise pollution in residential areas