A decision support system to evaluate the competitiveness of nations

The measurement of competitiveness and strategy development is an important issue for policy makers. The aim of this paper is to explore methodological transparency as a viable solution to problems created by existing aggregated indices as well as to conduct a detailed analysis on the ongoing performance of nations’ competitiveness. For this purpose, a methodology composed of three steps is used. To start, a combined clustering analysis methodology is used to assign countries to appropriate clusters. In current methods, country clustering is generally based on GDP. However, we suggest that GDP alone is insufficient to define the stage of competitiveness a country belongs. In the proposed methodology, 135 criteria are used for a proper classification of the countries. Relationships between the criteria and classification of the countries are determined using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). ANN provides an objective method for determining the attribute/criteria weights, which are, for the most part, subjectively specified in existing methods. Finally, in the third step, the countries of interest are ranked based on weights generated in the previous step. Beyond the ranking of countries, the proposed methodology can also be used to identify those attributes that a given country should focus on in order to improve its position relative to other countries, i.e., to transition from its current cluster to the next higher one. As a final analysis, the dynamic change of the rank of the countries over years has also been investigated

A decision support methodology for increasing the efficiency of the largest border crossing between Europe and Turkey

Kabak, Ozgur/0000-0002-5542-309X; Topcu, Ilker/0000-0001-9717-7854; Ulengin, Fusun/0000-0003-1738-9756Kapikule Border Crossing, the second busiest land border crossing point in the world and the busiest in Europe, has become inadequate to process the increasing number of trucks transporting goods between Europe and Turkey. To address this issue, in a previous study, a detailed process analysis was conducted, a simulation model was developed, and several action plans representing improvement strategies were analyzed and ranked in terms of the daily average number of trucks waiting in the queue to enter and leave the border crossing. However, to increase the efficiency of Kapikule Border Crossing, the ranking of the action plans should not be solely based on the average number of trucks but should also be evaluated from a much broader perspective taking into account several objectives that are generally in conflict with each other. Therefore, in this study, we propose a multi-criteria decision support methodology that evaluates these action plans by considering additional attributes; such as investment cost, operations cost, sustainability, border security, and the satisfaction of the beneficiaries, establishing a preference ranking of action plans to improve the capacity of the Border Crossing. Our results have implications for policymakers not only in Turkey but also in the EU.International Transporters' AssociationWe are grateful to the Kapikule Border Crossing authorities and the International Transporters' Association for their support and cooperation throughout the stages of the proposed approach. Special recognition is due to stakeholders, including customs officials (e.g., clerks, veterinarians, and agricultural engineers), truck drivers, and department managers, as well as managers of border-serving companies who participated the steps of determination of attributes, prioritization of attributes, and evaluation of action plans with respect to attributes

The evaluation of electricity generation resources: The case of Turkey

Electricity is the rising force among worldwide end-uses of energy. To meet the increasing demand, accurate policy decisions should be made considering each country's own dynamics. In fact, the selection of appropriate electricity generation resources necessitates the consideration of different aspects of the problem; hence, multi-attribute evaluation should be used. Topcu and Ulengin (2004) conducted a multi-attribute study to select the appropriate electricity generation resource in Turkey. To analyze the potential changes that may occur in electricity generation policy due to the recent dynamics in Turkey, the electricity generation resource selection problem is revisited in this research. Alternatives to be evaluated as well as the criteria to be used for evaluation are initially determined based on the synthesis of a literature survey and expert opinions. The alternatives are identified as solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, hydro, biomass, natural gas, coal, oil, and nuclear. The alternatives were evaluated using a new multiple-attribute decision making (MADM) approach based on the integration of Monte Carlo simulation, entropy, and Borda count methods. Besides updating data of Topcu and Ulengin, this new approach makes a significant contribution to the analysis stage as well. The results reveal that the primary electricity generation resources for Turkey should be a combination of renewable resources. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Determination of Attitudes of Turkish Thoracic Society Members on Exposure to Sexist Approach and Sexism in Business Life

28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) -- SEP 15-19, 2018 -- Paris, FRANCEWOS: 000455567104196European Respiratory So

The evaluation of disease awareness, caregiver burden, and workday loss in caregivers of COPD patients

Background/aim: Our aim is to determine the caregiver burden of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patient's caregivers, and to determine whether there is a workday loss. Materials and methods: 252 COPD patients and their caregivers were included. Disease information of the patients were recorded and a questionnaire was applied. Socio-demographic characteristics of the caregivers were recorded and a questionnaire consisting of 24 questions including COPD disease, treatment and loss of working days, and the Zarit Scale were used. Results: 128(50.8%) of the patients according to GOLD were group-D, 97(38.5%) of the patient's relatives were working, 62(24.7%) were not able to go to work for 1-14 days, and 125(57.1%) spent outside the home from 1-14 nights, because those accompanied to patients. In univariate analysis were detected modified medical research council (mMRC) (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.001), the number of comorbidities of patients (p = 0.027), forced expiratory volume in 1 FEV1cc (p = 0.009), FEV1% (p < 0.001), the presence of long term oxygen therapy (LTOT), and the number of comorbidities of the patient's relatives (p = 0.06) increased the care load. In multiple linear regression analysis, age (p = 0.03), COPD assessment test (CAT) score (p = 0.001), FEV1% (<0.068) and the number of comorbidities of patients (p = 0.01) and the number of comorbidities of caregivers (p = 0.003) increased the caregiving burden. Conclusion: In COPD increases caregiving burden. This burden is greater in symptomatic patients and when comorbidities are present. Psychosocial and legal regulations should be investigated and solutions should be produced for the caregivers of COPD patients

A simulation-based approach for improving the largest border crossing between Europe and Turkey

Kapikule border crossing, connecting Turkey to Bulgaria, is one of the largest customs gates at Europe via road transportation. Although it has a high capacity and large land area, there occurs long delays in the custom services due to inefficient operations resulting with long queues of trucks and long service times. To overcome this problem, in this study we investigated the strategies that could be implemented to increase the efficiency of the Kapikule border crossing. In-depth interviews were conducted with the Kapikule customs gate authorities to determine the process flows. The current situation at the gate was analysed using discrete event simulation. Furthermore, several improvement scenarios were tested to identify those that will have the highest impact on reducing the queues and delays at the border. As a result, specific suggestions were delivered for the import and export processes. According to the results, Turkey's export to European countries by road is expected to increase by at least 5% by the suggested improvements made at the Kapikule Border.International Transporters' Association of TurkeyThis study is supported by the International Transporters' Associa-tion of Turkey (UND-Uluslararas Nakliyeciler DerThis study is sup-ported by the International Transporters' Association of Turkey (UND-Uluslararas Nakliyeciler Dernegi) . We are grateful to the Kapkule Border Crossing authorities for their cooperation

Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome Associated with Pneumonia: A Case Report of a 16-Year-Old Male Patient

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by arterial and/or venous thrombosis and/or recurrent pregnancy loss in the presence of antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies. It is evaluated as APS when it develops associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases or primary APS if there is no concomitant disorder. In this study, we present a case of a 16-year-old male patient with primary APS. The patient was admitted with presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia, but multiple pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was observed on computerized tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. APL antibodies positivity and thrombocytopenia developed in our patient. The patient was evaluated as primary APS since another etiology that could explain PTE was not found. Primary APS is a rare disease in children along with adolescents, compared with APS associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases. We present here a young male patient with primary APS and PTE to contribute to the literature. The patient initially had pneumonia but later developed PTE and thrombocytopenia

A simulation-based approach for improving the largest border crossing between Europe and Turkey

Kapikule border crossing, connecting Turkey to Bulgaria, is one of the largest customs gates at Europe via road transportation. Although it has a high capacity and large land area, there occurs long delays in the custom services due to inefficient operations resulting with long queues of trucks and long service times. To overcome this problem, in this study we investigated the strategies that could be implemented to increase the efficiency of the Kapikule border crossing. In-depth interviews were conducted with the Kapikule customs gate authorities to determine the process flows. The current situation at the gate was analysed using discrete event simulation. Furthermore, several improvement scenarios were tested to identify those that will have the highest impact on reducing the queues and delays at the border. As a result, specific suggestions were delivered for the import and export processes. According to the results, Turkey's export to European countries by road is expected to increase by at least 5% by the suggested improvements made at the Kapikule Border