Exploring the Relevance and Contribution of Mediation to Peace-Building

The paper considers the nature and characteristics of peace-building as an approach to conflict. It suggests that mediation should be seen as a particularly important aspect of peace-building efforts, and one that may be used at different phases of a conflict. The paper develops a framework for analyzing the circumstances under which mediation may contribute to peace-building. The framework lays emphasis on contextual and perceptual dimensions. The paper argues that mediation, properly utilized, can achieve not just a settlement of a conflict, but facilitate, in the longer run, a full transformation of relations. Any successful program of peace-building requires some form of mediation

A political game?: the dispute over the Canal Istanbul project

This study aims to understand how ideologies become embedded in political projects through strategies of legitimation aimed at justifying specific ideas, beliefs, and emotions. By using the political negotiation between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP) concerning the Canal Istanbul Project as an illustrative example from Turkey to ‘ideology in action’, this article shows how various rhetorical combinations appeal to an analysis of ‘ideology at work’. Our analysis is based on 20 in-depth interviews with both opponents and supporters of the project, in addition to a comparison of two official websites providing scientific evidence from each party’s perspective. The results show that the two poles of the dispute aim to recruit more people as their political supporters by using their own scientific reports with claims that they are ‘objective’ and aspire for the benefit of Istanbul.publishedVersio

A research on determining the friction losses formed in the small diameter floppy polythene pipe lines

In pressured irrigation systems, water flowing in pipes is stable from the point of view of the hydraulic and it gradually decrease through the pipe lines. In sprinkler irrigation systems, sprinkler head pressure through the pipe line is different due to friction and local losses formed in parts of the pipes between sequent sprinkler heads and the differences resulting from slope. Generally, sprinkler head pressure has a maximum level in the beginning of lateral pipe lines and a minimum level in the end of lateral pipe lines. The velocity of water flow in the pipe line, the diameter and length of the pipe and the friction loses formed as a result of roughness inside the pipe should be known for a good design. The easiest andfastest way is to make use of the values given in the tables or diagrams determined by the equation of Hazen-Williams. However, no data related to floppy polythene (PE) pipes with small diameter is available in the tables and diagrams mentioned. In this study, values relating to friction losses and pressures formed in 10, 20, 30,…, 100 m through the pipe for the without slope in different velocity (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 m s-1) and water flow have been measured and it was found that connection between them using floppy PE pipes (6 bar) with small diameter (Ø20, 25, 32, 40 and 50) have been produced by some plastic companies in Turkey and particularly used in the irrigation systems in landscape areas. Inconclusion, it was stated by the people who worked on the experiment that the parameters obtained could be used

Discursive governance over pro-population politics in Turkey

Discursive governance of pro-population politics refers to norm-based mechanisms of governance that utilise intentionally selected slogans in political discourse for dissemination of ideas to further the interests of political authorities. Such ideas can be disseminated via modern communication technologies enabling governance to build social representations within the public sphere without policy constraints. It is our proposal that the pro-population state discourse in Turkey after 2008 constitutes an example of discursive governance. Our findings show that discursive mechanisms can lead to a change in married couples’ reproductive attitude without significant policy alteration and further the debate in view of discursive governance of population politics.publishedVersio

Effects of different irrigation programs on yield and quality parameters of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under greenhouse conditions

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different irrigation programs on yield and quality parameters of eggplant under greenhouse conditions, using Class A pan evaporation calculations and different plant-pan coefficients. Irrigation water was applied through drip irrigation method twice a week during the growing period. Irrigation treatments consisted of five plant-pan coefficients (S1: kcp = nonirrigation, S2: kcp = 0.50, S3: kcp = 0.75, S4: kcp = 1.00 and S5: kcp = 1.25). The amount of irrigation water ranged between 95.2 and 238.7 mm among the treatments. Evapotranspiration (ET) values varied from 93.1 to 466.3 mm for the treatments. The highest yield was obtained from the S3 and S4 treatments. A significant polynomial correlation was obtained between the yield and irrigation water, and between the yield and ET (P < 0.01). This indicated that when irrigation water and ET increased, yield also increased to a certain point. However, when the amount of irrigation water exceeded the plant water requirement, eggplant yield decreased. Yield response factor (Ky) was determined as 0.81. Since Ky < 1, eggplants were not sensitive to water deficiency. In addition, the highest water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values were calculated in the S3 (12.9 kgm-3) and S2 (44.2 kgm-3) treatments, while the lowest WUE and IWUE values were calculated in the S5 (7.9 and 15.5 kgm-3) treatment to which the highest irrigation water was applied. This finding indicated that WUE and IWUE values decreased with the increasing irrigation water and ET. These results suggested that S3 (kcp = 0.75) treatment can be the most appropriate irrigation program for eggplant with higher yield and WUE under greenhouse conditions.Key words: Eggplant, yield response factor, water use efficiency, Class A pan, evapotranspiration

Gendered engineering culture in Turkey: construction and transformation

In this study, I aim to understand gendered aspects in professional culture of engineering and its transformation in contemporary Turkey by using a theoretical tool called "Gendered engineering culture”. Deriving from the results of this study, I argue that engineering profession has a prestigious image in Turkey’s society. This image has transformed due to economic and political changes. Secondly, engineering profession in Turkey is based on gendered codes and ideals. These codes mainly adress male engineer as the ideal type. Yet, this definition of masculinity has certain limits peculiar to Turkey which values mathematical ability in addition to physical toughness. In addition, findings of this study provide constrasting perspectives from different cohorts of women engineers concerning the change in gendered structure of engineering profession in Turkey. Findings of this study also indicate that gendered engineering culture manifest in engineers’ communication styles; belittling jokes, daily language, caricatures, also in gendered job ads, and segregation of certain tasks in work organization which finally affects promotion strategies. The ways gendered engineering culture manifest itself affects men and women engineers differently; women need to struggle more than men in order to survive in engineering environment.Ph.D. - Doctoral Progra

On the Significance of Religion in Conflict and Conflict Resolution

" In this ground-breaking volume, the authors analyze the role of religion in conflict and conflict resolution. They do so from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, while bringing different disciplines into play, including peace and conflict studies, religious studies, theology and ethics. With much of current academic, political and public attention focusing on the conflictive dimensions of religion, this book also explores the constructive resources of religion for conflict resolution and reconciliation. Analyzing the specific contributions of religious actors in this field, their potentials and possible problems connected with them, this book sheds light on the concrete contours of the oftentimes vague “religious factor” in processes of social change. Case studies in current and former settings of violent conflict such as Israel, post-genocide Rwanda and Pakistan provide “real life” contexts for discussion. Combining cutting-edge research with case studies and concrete implications for academics, policy makers and practitioners, this concise and easily accessible volume helps to build bridges between these oftentimes separated spheres of engagement.

Bacteremia due to Acinetobacter ursingii in infants: Reports of two cases

Acinetobacter ursingii is an aerobic, gram-negative, opportunistic microorganism which is rarely isolated among Acinetobacter species. We present two immunocompetent infants who developed bacteremia due to A.ursingii. The first patient is a two -month- old boy who had been hospitalized in pediatric surgery unit for suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula because of recurrent aspiration pneumonia unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. The second patient is a fourteen -month- old boy with prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. A. ursingii was isolated from their blood cultures. They were successfully treated with ampicillin-sulbactam. Although A.ursingii has recently been isolated from a clinical specimen; reports of infection with A.ursingii in children are rare. A.ursingii should be kept in mind as an opportunistic microorganism in children.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Religion Matters: On the Significance of Religion in Conflict and Conflict Resolution

In this volume, the authors analyze the role of religion in conflict and conflict resolution. They do so from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, while bringing different disciplines into play, including peace and conflict studies, religious studies, theology, and ethics. With much of current academic, political, and public attention focusing on the conflictive dimensions of religion, this book also explores the constructive resources of religion for conflict resolution and reconciliation. Analyzing the specific contributions of religious actors in this field, their potentials and possible problems connected with them, this book sheds light on the concrete contours of the oftentimes vague “religious factor” in processes of social change. Case studies in current and former settings of violent conflict such as Israel, post-genocide Rwanda, and Pakistan provide “real-life” contexts for discussion. Combining cutting-edge research with case studies and concrete implications for academics, policy makers, and practitioners, this concise and easily accessible volume helps to build bridges between these oftentimes separated spheres of engagement. The Open Access version of this book, available at: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003002888, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license