The Role of Sports in International Relations

The sport became and continue to be  a major sanction tool in international relations in a positive way. By its increasing effects it is one of the most important cases from the past century to nowadays. The sportive competitions executed previously by a very small minority has  influence almost all the world before the Olympic Games, and then other organizations (especially football). The sport has become even a phenomena more widespread than the facts  such as the democracy, the free market, and even the freedom. The sport has been a decisive instrument  in national and international politics. As a global phenomenon it has  the  popularity due to the governmental socio-economic conditions of communities. It takes place  in the consumption phenomenon accelerated by the globalization. The politically bipolar world was considered as  a world based on competition between two camps which  have established the culture, art, sports, literature, technology, military and policy. In fact  the sport in that period played a significant role in the test  of power and competition between the two poles in an  environment  without war, because athletic competitions mean the war of which the results are not death. The economic effects of the globalization also show itself in the sports industry

REE geochemistry and fluid-inclusion studies of fluorite deposits from the Yaylagözü area (Yıldızeli-Sivas) in central Turkey

Skarn- and vein-type fluorite deposits in the vicinity of Yaylagözü, Yıldızeli-Sivas, are found within the syenites and their skarn zones that are located in the Central Anatolia Massif. Mining was activite on several fluorite mineralizations during the early 1950 s, but is presently inactive. The goal of this study, on the basis of REE geochemistry and fluid inclusion investigations, is to explain the genesis and physicochemical conditions of fluorite mineralization hosted by calc-alkaline to alkaline syenites of Upper Cretaceous age. The rare-earth element content of the Yaylagözü fluorite is quite variable. Fluorites have moderate to high total REE contents ranging from 68 ppm to 5288 ppm, with a mean of 907, compared with the fluorite occurrences elsewhere both in hydrothermal and sedimentary origin. Light rare-earth elements (LREE) are enriched in all the studied fluorite samples. Chondrite-normalized La/Lu ratios range from 13.7 to 364, regardless of color variation in fluorites. This, as well as low Tb/La ratio, is the indicative of early crystallization of fluorite from the mineralizing solution. The Tb/La and Tb/Ca ratios of fluorites in the present study indicate that they plot mainly in the “pegmatitic” or “high-hydrothermal” field of the diagram of Möller et al. (1976) with the characteristics of primary crystallization and remobilization trends. Fluid inclusion microthermometry indicates that the fluorite in most of the veins was formed from the fluids at temperatures between 161 ° and 243 °C. Primary fluid inclusions for samples plotting into the “pegmatitic” field of the Möller et al. diagram (1976) has the highest homogenization temperatures

Geochemical patterns of the Akdagmadeni (Yozgat, Central Turkey) fluorite deposits and implications

Fluorite and fluorite-bearing Pb–Zn–Ag (Cu) deposits are quite common in granitoids and associated skarn formations that are products of Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene magmatic intrusions into Paleozoic metamorphic rocks of the so called Central Anatolian massif. This study investigates the geochemical features, mainly REE distributions, of fluorites from the Akdagmadeni fluorite and fluorite bearing Pb–Zn–Ag (Cu) deposits. These include the vein type Tad Dere, epidote-skarn hosted Bu¨yu¨kc¸al Tepe and the skarn and granite hosted Akc¸akisla deposits. The REE contents of these deposits are 20.6–48.5 ðx ¼ 36:0Þ, 61.3–149.3 ðx ¼ 113:0Þ and 279.2–4222.4 ðx ¼ 1280:0Þ ppm for the Tad D., Bu¨yu¨kc¸al T. and Akc¸akisla, respectively. In general, theREE contents are intermediate to high and decrease in abundance with increasing distance from the granitic bodies. The LREE contents are dominantly higher than HREE contents and REE normalized patterns indicate decreasing abundances with increasing atomic number. These indicate that all the fluorites are early stage mineralizations. However, Tb/Ca–Tb/La ratios show distinct differences in the nature of the mineralizing fluids. The high ratios of Akc¸akisla fluorites are evidence of mineralizing fluids rich in late-stage differentiates from a felsic magma, while intermediate to high ratios of the Bu¨yu¨kc¸al T. fluorites are products of late-stage differentiates from hydrothermal fluids. Tad D. fluorites were mineralized under hydrothermal conditions. Decreasing SREE contents in the order of Akc¸akisla, Bu¨yu¨kc¸al T., and Tad D., and Sc/Eu vs Sr distribution (Sr increases with increasing distance from the magmatic rocks) also supports this order of formation. Each of the three types of fluorite deposits plot in well-defined areas in the Sc/Eu vs Sr diagram. Eu and Ce anomalies give a mixed pattern; the Tad D. fluorites have strong negative Eu anomalies indicating low T and low f o2 mineralizing fluids. Strong positive Eu anomalies for the Akc¸akisla fluorites are probably due to high f o2: The Ce anomalies are strongly negative for the Akc¸akisla, negative for the Bu¨yu¨kc¸al T. and weakly negative for the Tad D. fluorites. These indicate high f o2 conditions for the Akc¸akisla, intermediate for the Bu¨yu¨kc¸al T. and low for the Tad D. fluorites. Because of distinguishable differences in REE patterns, the fluorite deposits plot in well-defined areas in Sc/Eu vs Sr, (La/Yb)n– (Eu/Eup)n, Sr–(Eu/Eup)n, Sc–SREE, (Tb/Yb)n–(La/Yb)n, Tb/Ca–Tb/La diagrams, and indicate different origins and depositional histories. The homogenization temperatures ðTHÞ range from 156 to 185 8C with the corresponding salinities between 12 and 23 wt% NaCl for the Tad Dere ores, 390 to 430 8C with the corresponding salinities 8 and 12 wt% NaCl for the Akc¸akisla and Bu¨yu¨kc¸al Tere ores. Consequently, the field, fluid inclusion data and REE geochemistry indicate that the composition of mineralizing fluids, the locations of ore formations relative to the plutons, the mineralizing mechanisms and the prevailing physicochemical conditions of the depositional environments for the fluorite deposits of Akdagmadeni, were different

Performance-Based Task Appointment Model in Urban Public Transportation: The Case of IETT

Provision of quality services in urban public transportation has become a significant field of research to be analysed separately, particularly for metropolitan cities where population and other components of traffic are rapidly increasing. Quality of public transportation operators can be figured out with the help of various parameters. Among those, human resources undoubtedly have a significant role. Fulfilment of operators’ strategic aims and targets is in direct proportion to performance and satisfaction of employees. With an innovative approach, this study aims to suppose a new, performance-based task assignment model that grounds on the target to achieve a fair work distribution by analysing General Directorate of IETT’s current “task assignment process for drivers”, which manages urban public transportation of Istanbul Metropolitan City. This model identifies specific performance indicators and gives points to the drivers according to competency. New software has been developed with an algorithm to allow drivers to choose the routes they will work on, depending on their competency points. With 184 drivers, 22 routes and 135 buses, IETT Sarigazi Bus Terminal has been chosen as the pilot area of this new idea of “self-appointment”

The Incidence and Management of Pleural Injuries Occurring during Open Nephrectomy

Objective. To evaluate the incidence, management, and risk factors of pleural injuries occurring during open nephrectomy. Methods. Between June 2004/and June 2008, 165 patients (167 renal units) underwent open simple (n = 37, 22.2%), partial (n = 39, 23.4%) or radical (n = 91, 54.5%) nephrectomy in our institution. Results. Flank, Chevron, and abdominal midline incisions were used in 148(88.6%), 17(10.2%), and in 2(1.2%) surgical procedures, respectively. Ribs were excised in 109(65.3%) procedures (11th rib, 10th-11th ribs, and 11th-12th ribs). Intraoperative pleural injuries were detected in 20(12%) procedures, 16(80%) were treated successfully with simple evacuation technique, and 4 required chest tube insertion. Age, sex, surgery type, incision type, and surgery site were not associated with pleural injury occurrence (P > .05). Rib resection was the only parameter associated with pleural injury occurrence. Conclusion. Pleural injuries occur in 12% of open nephrectomy procedures, and 80% can be repaired successfully. Few of them (2.4%) need chest tube insertion. Performing rib resection is a significant risk factor for pleural injury occurrence during nephrectomies

Non-western contexts: the invisible half

Like many other disciplines within the broad area of social sciences (e.g., anthropology, gender studies, psychology, sociology, etc.), consumer research is also highly navigated by scholars from Western countries. This, however, does not mean, by any means, that consumer research is devoted to studying Western contexts only. As evident from the ever-increasing number of regional conferences (e.g., Asia-Pacific and Latin American conferences of the Association for Consumer Research) and non-Western students' enrolment in doctoral programs at Western universities, there are many more researchers (from non-Western countries) who are entering the field and enriching it by their colourful contributions. Yet, given the low number of publications on consumer research in non-Western contexts, it seems that our current knowledge in these societies has a long way to go to flourish. More specifically, and in the domain of consumption culture research, this gap is even further widened by the fact that the culture of consumption in such contexts is largely interpreted with reference to the 'grand narratives' of Western scholars (e.g., Foucault, Mafessoli, Bourdieu, Deleuze, Baudrillard, Nietzsche, Durkheim, Derrida, etc.). Therefore, from an ontological perspective, it seems that our existing knowledge about non-Western societies lies heavily on the 'theoretical structures' that are 'constructed' by Western philosophy as a set of ideas, beliefs, and practices (Said, 1978). As Belk (1995) reminds us, consumption culture always existed in all human societies. What makes contemporary societies different from that of our predecessors' is not the fact that consumption culture did not exist in those societies, but that consumption culture has become a prevailing feature in modern society (Slater, 1997; Lury, 1996; Fırat and Venkatesh, 1995; McCracken, 1988). Therefore, the nature and dynamics of consumption culture in each society should be studied not only against the sociocultural, historical, and economic background of a given context (Western or non-Western) but also with reference to the philosophical and epistemological viewpoints that analyse and interpret cultural practices of that society from within that culture. Addressing such issues, this paper discusses some of the key reasons for lack of theory development in the field from non-western contexts. The paper invites scholars in non-Western contexts to introduce the less articulated, and sometime hidden, body of knowledge from their own contexts into the field of marketing in general and consumer research in particular

Comparison of Efficacy and Complications of Holmium Laser and Pneumatic Lithotripters Used in the Ureterorenoscopic Treatment of Proximal Ureter Stones, a Multi-Center Study of Society of Urological Surgery Aegean Study Group

Objective:The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and complications of holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripsy used in the ureterorenoscopic treatment of proximal ureteral stones.Materials and Methods:Data of 638 patients, who underwent ureterorenoscopy (URS) due to proximal ureteral stones in different centers, were obtained from patient files. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of lithotripter used: group 1; laser lithotripter (n=324; 50.8%) and group 2; pneumatic lithotripter (n=314; 49.2%). URS was considered successful upon determination stone-free status with the imaging methods after treatment. The effectiveness and the complications of holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and pneumatic lithotripsy were compared.Results:The total success rate of URS was 82.6% and the complication rate was 8.1%. The mean age of patients was similar between the groups; however, the body mass index values, stone surface area and stone Hounsfield unit were significantly higher in group 1. Although the mean operative time, complication rate and the mean length of hospital stay were similar between the groups; the URS success and postoperative ureteral J stent use rates were significantly higher in group 1 and the push-back rate was significantly higher in group 2.Conclusion:If laser lithotripsy is available in a clinic, we believe that it is better to use it as the first option in the treatment of proximal ureter stones. However, considering that it is not easy to access laser lithotripters due to their high cost in Turkey, pneumatic lithotripters may be an effective and inexpensive alternative that can also be safely used in these cases

Opportunities and challenges of a novel cardiac output response to stress (CORS) test to enhance diagnosis of heart failure in primary care: qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of the novel cardiac output response to stress (CORS), test in the current diagnostic pathway for heart failure and the opportunities and challenges to potential implementation in primary care. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semistructured in-depth interviews which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data from the interviews were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. SETTING: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen healthcare professionals (six males, eight females) from primary (general practitioners (GPs), nurses, healthcare assistant, practice managers) and secondary care (consultant cardiologists). RESULTS: Four themes relating to opportunities and challenges surrounding the implementation of the new diagnostic technology were identified. These reflected that the adoption of CORS test would be an advantage to primary care but the test had barriers to implementation which include: establishment of clinical utility, suitability for immobile patients and cost implication to GP practices. CONCLUSION: The development of a simple non-invasive clinical test to accelerate the diagnosis of heart failure in primary care maybe helpful to reduce unnecessary referrals to secondary care. The CORS test has the potential to serve this purpose; however, factors such as cost effectiveness, diagnostic accuracy and seamless implementation in primary care have to be fully explored.This study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council Confidence in Concept Scheme grant to DGJ (grant no. BH161161). SC and NO are supported by the European Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 777204. SG is supported by the NIHR MEDTEch In Vitro Diagnostics. DGJ is supported by the UK Research Councils’ Newcastle Centre for Ageing and Vitality (grant no. L016354)