Sortie Generation Simulation of a Fighter Squadron

The Turkish Air Force utilizes several fighter squadrons to enhance its military capabilities. One of the most critical challenges for these squadrons is generating sorties to meet the currency and demand during both peacetime and wartime. This sortie generation process directly affects the success of both training and operations. In this study, this process is assessed using a discrete event simulation. Air Force decision makers require a simulation tool to conduct “what-if” analysis on how potential changes in the environment affect an F-16 fighter squadron’s sortie generation process. Creating a usable simulation provides decision makers with a flexible tool to analyze and evaluate the possible scenarios. The model assists in determining new concepts to provide benefits over current systems. These benefits may include increased operational availability and better system performance

Healthcare professionals acting ethically under the risk of stigmatization and violence during COVID-19 from media reports in Turkey

Abstract Aim: The COVID-19 infection is transmitted either by human-to-human contact, social-physical contact, and respiratory droplets or by touching items touched by the infected. This has triggered some conflicted behaviors such as stigma, violence, and opposite behavior applause. The aim of this study is to explore several newspaper articles about stigma, violence, or insensitive behavior against healthcare professionals and to analyze the reason for these behaviors during these COVID-19 pandemics. Method: The website of the Turkish Medical Association "Press Releases News" and online newspaper articles have been scanned using keywords and have been classified and analyzed according to the content of articles between the periods of March 11 to April 28, 2020. This is a qualitative study with content analysis. No official ethical permission was obtained as the study was conducted through open access internet news sites. Result: 16 reports were selected from online reports that matched the keywords of the study. 13 of these reports included desensitization, violence, lack of precaution, stigmatization, and applause, and 3 reports included doctors’ statements. After being categorized, content analyses were conducted. Conclusion: This study revealed the necessity of a multi-faceted evaluation of the problems faced by healthcare professionals who are at the forefront of the COVID-19 outbreak. This study has a primary role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of the pandemic and reveals that doctors are trying to fulfill their duties in an ethical framework despite stigmatized behavior. Authorities should provide various supports to protect healthcare professionals before, during, and after the epidemic for the success of the COVID-19 outbreak struggle

Choroidal structural changes after phacoemulsification in eyes with age-related macular degeneration

Aim: To evaluate the changes in choroidal vascular structures in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and healthy controls (No-AMD) after phacoemulsification. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 34 eyes of 19 patients in the AMD group and 32 eyes of 20 patients in the no-AMD group who had uneventful phacoemulsification. Best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and intraocular pressure were recorded. Choroidal thickness (CT) measurements of the subjects were obtained using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (Edi-OCT) (RS-3000 Advance, Nidek, Japan), and choroidal vascular index (CVI) was calculated by using the binarization method at baseline and postoperatively at months 1 (M1) and 3 (M3) and the results were compared. Results: There was no significant difference between the patients in terms of age and gender (p=0.069, p=0.855 respectively). The mean CVI at baseline was 0.644 ± 0.019% in the AMD group and 0.657 ± 0.021% in the no-AMD group (p=0.025). In the AMD group, the CVI increased significantly in M3 compared to preoperative values (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of CT in baseline, M1, and M3 (p>0.05). There was a significant increase in CT in M1 compared to preoperative values in both groups (p=0.026 and p=0.050, respectively). Conclusion: Although the preoperative CVI was lower in the AMD group than in the no-AMD group, there was a greater increase in CVI after phacoemulsification in the AMD group. While CT values return to normal after phacoemulsification sooner, CVI remains elevated for a longer period

Relationship of Corporate Governance with Organizational Resilience in the Changing World

In addition to economical changes,technological improvemenets and crisis; occured  company scandals like Enron and  Worldcom has increased the interest in corporate governance concept. While corporate governance principles created by OECD in international  context, in our country the principles created by SPK based on Anglo-Saxon corporate governance model. To encourage firms about adopting corporate governance and measure adoption level of  firms who enrolled to stock markets to the codes in question, XKURY has been created by İstanbul Stock Market. When the effects of changes and developments in the fields of economy and technology on the management understanding and strategies of the enterprises considered, ability of the businesses that have adopted corporate governance principles to continue their activities in a healthy way, even if environmental factors become difficult or encounter any destructive events raises questions regarding to the relationahip between corporate governance and organizational resilience. This research has been made to understand if there is a correlation between corporate governance and organizational resilience. While data regarding to corporate governance point acquired as secondary sources via XKURY, data regarding to organizational resilience has been acquired as primary source via a survey that made up of organizational resilience scale created by Wicker et al. For dependent variable of the work, samples picked via snowball sampling method and collected data analyzed on the last word statistic softwares and Excel 2016. Analyze results showed that there is strong positive way correlation between corporate governance and organizational resilience

Approximate Computation of DFT without Performing Any Multiplications: Applications to Radar Signal Processing

In many practical problems it is not necessary to compute the DFT in a perfect manner including some radar problems. In this article a new multiplication free algorithm for approximate computation of the DFT is introduced. All multiplications $(a\times b)$ in DFT are replaced by an operator which computes $sign(a\times b)(|a|+|b|)$. The new transform is especially useful when the signal processing algorithm requires correlations. Ambiguity function in radar signal processing requires high number of multiplications to compute the correlations. This new additive operator is used to decrease the number of multiplications. Simulation examples involving passive radars are presented

Türkiye ve Kanada matematik ders kitaplarındaki soruların sentezlenmiş taksonomiye göre incelenmesi

The present study offers a comparative analysis of mathematics questions placed in Turkish and Canadian school textbooks in terms of cognitive process and knowledge dimension as well as the question types. In order to get therequired data, eight textbooks were analyzedrespectively. Document analysis was conducted to collect the data from these textbooks. In order to compare the differences and similarities between the questions found in these textbooks as well as their levels of cognitive learning, these questions were analyzedand classified according to the types of cognitive processes and knowledge dimensions they address. Mathematics questions existing in Turkish and Canadian textbooks showed a similar tendency in terms of cognitive learning domain. However, compared to the Turkish textbooks, it was found that the questions provided in the Canadian textbooks contained more constructed response questions that required higher-order cognitive abilities. It is recommended thatthe number of higher order thinking questions should be increased in accordance with international examinations.Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye ve Kanada’da kullanımda olan ortaokul matematik ders kitaplarındaki soruları bilişsel öğrenme düzeylerine ve soru türlerine göre inceleyip karşılaştırmaktır. Bu bağlamda Türkiye’de kullanımda olan ortaokul matematik ders kitapları ile Kanada’da kullanımda olan “Math Makes Sense” adlı ders kitapları içerik analizine tabi tutularak karşılaştırılmıştır. Araştırmanın amacına uygun olarak veriler toplanıp doküman analizi yapılmıştır. Her iki ülke ders kitaplarında yer alan matematik soruları, Sentezlenmiş Bloom Taksonomisi üzerinden bilişsel süreç ve bilgi boyutlarına göre kodlanmış ve soruların bilişsel öğrenme düzeylerine göre benzerlik ve farklılıkları karşılaştırmalı olarak incelenmiştir. Türkiye ve Kanada ders kitaplarında yer alan soruların bilişsel süreç ve bilgi boyutu açısından benzer özellikler gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir. Ancak Kanada ders kitabında bilişsel beceri gerektiren açık uçlu soru türlerine daha çok yer verildiği belirlenmiştir. Ders kitaplarının içeriği oluşturulurken uluslararası sınavlarla uyumlu üst bilişsel beceri gerektiren sorulara daha fazla yer verilmesi önerilmektedir

A comparison of two conjunctival rotation autograft techniques in primary pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of 90° and 180° conjunctival rotational autograft (CRA) techniques used in primary pterygium surgery. METHODS: Forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. Visual acuity (VA), corneal topography, and auto-refractometer measurements, as well as detailed biomicroscopic examinations, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. During surgery, the pterygium tissue was excised then rotated 90° in Group 1 and180° in Group 2, after which it was sutured to the bare sclera. Pterygium recurrence was defined as corneal invasion ≥1 mm. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 45.1 ± 11.8 years, while Group 2 comprised 24 patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 13.8 years. The pterygia in Group 1 were graded as more advanced than those in Group 2. A similar number of recurrences were observed in Group 1 (14.3%) and in Group 2 (16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the preoperative and postoperative VA and astigmatism values between the two groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in the postoperative VA and astigmatism values in Group 1 and in the postoperative astigmatism values in Group 2. Although postoperative redness was more common in Group 1, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: BothCRA techniques can be successful in patients for whom it is desirable to avoid a conjunctival autograft and for patients without high cosmetic expectations

Projections Onto Convex Sets (POCS) Based Optimization by Lifting

Two new optimization techniques based on projections onto convex space (POCS) framework for solving convex and some non-convex optimization problems are presented. The dimension of the minimization problem is lifted by one and sets corresponding to the cost function are defined. If the cost function is a convex function in R^N the corresponding set is a convex set in R^(N+1). The iterative optimization approach starts with an arbitrary initial estimate in R^(N+1) and an orthogonal projection is performed onto one of the sets in a sequential manner at each step of the optimization problem. The method provides globally optimal solutions in total-variation, filtered variation, l1, and entropic cost functions. It is also experimentally observed that cost functions based on lp, p<1 can be handled by using the supporting hyperplane concept

Comparison of the frequency of mathematics teachers' use of mathematics textbooks in face-to-face and distance education

Understanding the variables that affect the use of textbooks are important for the development of eligible and preferable resources. In this research, the frequency of textbook usage in face-to-face and distance education was examined according to grade level, professional experience of teachers, and residential area of the schools in which teachers work. The sample of the study consists of 287 middle school mathematics teachers working in different state schools. Data was obtained through an online survey. This study showed that the frequency of textbook usage decreased as the grade level increased, and this decrease occurred both in face-to-face and distance education. However, it has been concluded that the frequency of textbook usage varies in both learning environments according to teaching experience, and that change is statistically significant. In face-to-face classrooms, it was determined that the location of the school was a determining factor in terms of the frequency of textbook usage, whereas, in distance education, the frequency of textbook usage did not statistically significantly differ according to school location. The rest of the findings are discussed in terms of teachers' experiences and attitudes.Öğrenme-öğretme sürecinin en önemli materyallerinden biri olan ders kitaplarının kullanımına etki eden değişkenleri anlamak, nitelikli ve tercih edilebilir kaynakların geliştirilebilmesi için önemlidir. Bu araştırmada, yüz yüze ve uzaktan eğitim sürecindeki ders kitabı kullanım sıklığı, öğretmenlerin mesleki deneyimleri ve görev yaptıkları okulların bulunduğu bölgedeki sosyo-ekonomik düzeylere göre sınanmıştır. Tarama deseni ile yürütülen çalışmanın katılımcılarını 287 ortaokul matematik öğretmeni oluşturmaktadır. Sınıf kademesi, mesleki deneyim ve yerleşim bölgesi dikkate alınarak oluşturulan örneklemden çevrimiçi anket yoluyla toplanan veriler, betimsel ve kestirimsel istatistik teknikleri ile analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonuçları, sınıf kademesi arttıkça ders kitabı kullanım oranının azaldığını ve bu azalışın hem yüz yüze hem de uzaktan eğitim sınıflarında gerçekleştiğini göstermiştir. Bununla birlikte, mesleki deneyime göre ders kitabı kullanım sıklığının hem yüz yüze hem de uzaktan öğretim sürecinde değiştiği ve bu değişimin istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Yüz yüze eğitimde yerleşim bölgesinin ders kitabı kullanım sıklığı açısından belirleyici bir faktör olduğu, uzaktan eğitim sürecinde ise ders kitabı kullanım sıklığının yerleşim bölgesine göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir şekilde farklı olmadığı belirlenmiştir. Diğer bulgular öğretici deneyimi ve tutumları çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır

ICU Residents' Views On General Ethical Issues Regarding The Opt-In System Of Deceased Organ Donation In Turkey: A Focus Group Study

This descriptive study explores the views of resident physicians working in intensive care units (ICUs) concerning deceased organ donation and examines the various ethical issues surrounding organ donation encountered by residents. This was a qualitative, descriptive study utilizing solo interviews with participants together with focus group discussions. The participants' experiences and views were elicited via interviews and focus group discussions covering the following topics: ethical thoughts about deceased organ donation, barriers that impede or prevent organ donation, its effect on the next of kin, and its relationship with futile treatment. The discussions were reviewed using qualitative content analysis. The residents commented that deceased organ donation is a complex and stressful process for the family of the potential donor as well as the transplant team, and still lacks wide acceptance in Turkish society. The opt-in system requires informed consent, thus creating a major barrier for both the patient’s family and the ICU team to overcome. The participants stated that new legal, ethical, and medical arrangements are needed to increase organ donation rates in Turkey. In order to increase rates of deceased organ donation and reduce cases of futile treatment, improved communication between the ICU, transplant team, and patient relatives is critical to ensure that ethical issues are properly managed. On a societal level, the subject of deceased organ donation needs to receive greater attention from public health authorities to increase public awareness. Residents can make valuable contributions to the deceased organ donation process as physicians and as psychosocial support for patients and their families