On commuting and non-commuting complexes

In this paper we study various simplicial complexes associated to the commutative structure of a finite group G. We define NC(G) (resp. C(G)) as the complex associated to the poset of pairwise non-commuting (resp. commuting) sets in G. We observe that NC(G) has only one positive dimensional connected component, which we call BNC(G), and we prove that BNC(G) is simply connected. Our main result is a simplicial decomposition formula for BNC(G) which follows from a result of A. Bjorner, M. Wachs and V. Welker on inflated simplicial complexes. As a corollary, we obtain that if G has a nontrivial center or if G has odd order, then the homology group H_{n-1}(BNC(G)) is nontrivial for every n such that G has a maximal noncommuting set of order n

Difficulties Encountered by Academicians in Academic Research Processes in Universities

This present research, aimed to determine the occasions, which the academicians encountered during the academic research process and how these affect the research process, was prepared as a case study pattern among the qualitative research methods. 34 academicians, who were working in a university in Turkey, participated in the research. The data of the research were collected with a semi-structured protocol form. 10 open-ended research questions were included in the data collection tool to determine the difficulties that the academicians encountered during the research process. The data gathered during the research were analysed with the descriptive analysis. A thematic pattern was constituted with the data gathered with the responses to the each question stated in the protocol form and the number of the pre-service teachers stressed on these themes with their views was given in brackets. In order to reflect the opinions of the academicians, direct quotations were done from the expressions of these academicians. The responses of the academicians to the questions of the protocols were separately examined and coded by the researcher and an expert from the field and necessary arrangements were made. According to the results gathered from the research, during the research process, it was determined that the academicians had  foreign language problems, difficulties in the data analysis process, problems in publishing their researches, time problems in their researches, problems in collaborative works with  their colleagues and difficulties in reaching international resources

Single photon emission computed tomography: An alternative imaging modality in left ventricular evaluation

Various diagnostic imaging modalities have been used for quantitative left ventricular (LV) parameters. Because of the suboptimal value of the most widely used technology, two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, 3D ultrasonographic imaging has improved accuracy for LV volume and function. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is another diagnostic method where LV volumetric and functional parameters can be accurately provided by gated myocardial perfusion tomographic slices. First pass radionuclide venticulography is another imaging modality which has some practical limitations. Despite lower ejection fraction (EF) values compared with invasive approach, noninvasive techniques are accurate in determination of normal and depressed EF. Noninvasive techniques with 3D approach including gated SPECT are beneficial for not only global but also regional LV evaluation. It has been mentioned that the slight difference between echocardiography and SPECT could be caused by the diverse population studied. The results of diagnostic stress tests support that SPECT is feasible to use in evaluation of LV volume and functional analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging is an expensive modality to use routinely, but it preserves its importance in selected patients for providing precise LV geometric data

A competency model for dispersed military team and role of competencies on work engagement and career competencies

Human assets are important resources available to any organization, being essential for performance. Therefore, the demand for effective workforce, who are competent, engaged, and proactive, increases in nonmilitary and military organizations. This thesis focuses on leadership competencies required to command a dispersed military team (DMT) and role of leadership competencies on work engagement and career competencies. We conducted two studies. In the first study, we developed a DMT competency model, consisting of ten core, five leadership and five membership competencies. In the second study, we investigated the role of competencies on work engagement and on career competencies by using Job Demands-Resources model and career competencies model as theoretical framework. We focused on leadership competencies defined in our prior study. Firstly, we investigated the relationship between these competencies, and work charactersitics - job demands and resources - and work engagement. Secondly, we investigated the effect of leadership competencies on career competencies. Results showed that competencies displayed a significant positive relationship with role clarity, positive relationship with possibilities for development and negative relationship with social support; a negative relationship with role conflict and work overload; and a significant positive relationship with work engagement, in addition, role clarity mediated the relationship between competencies and work engagement. Regarding the role of competencies on career competencies, we observerved a significant positive relationship between competencies and career competencies. Overall, our results indicated that mastering on competencies affects the perception of work conditions, contributes for higher levels of engagement through perception of role clarity and leads to development of career competencies.O capital humano constitui um recurso muito importante disponível para qualquer organização, sendo fundamental para o seu desempenho. Por este motivo, a necessidade de uma força de trabalho eficaz, competente, envolvida e proactiva, tem aumentado em organizações não militares e militares. Esta tese foca as competências de liderança necessárias para comandar uma equipa militar dispersa (EMD) e o papel das competências de liderança no engagement no trabalho e competências de carreira. Nesse sentido foram realizados dois estudos. No primeiro estudo, desenvolvemos um modelo de competências EMD, constituído por dez competências principais, 5 de liderança e 5 de pertença a equipas. No segundo estudo, investigámos o papel das competências no engagement no trabalho e nas competências de carreira utilizando o modelo das Exigências-Recursos e o modelo das Competências de Carreira como enquadramento teórico. Neste estudo considerámos as competências de liderança definidas no primeiro estudo e investigámos a relação entre estas competências e as características do trabalho – exigências e recursos- e o engagement no trabalho. Posteriormente investigámos a relação entre as competências de liderança e as competências de carreira. Os resultados obtidos revelam que as competências apresentam: uma relação positiva significativa com a clareza de papel, possibilidades de desenvolvimento e uma relação negativa com o apoio social; uma relação negativa com o conflito no papel e a sobrecarga de trabalho; e uma relação positiva significativa com o engagement no trabalho, além disso, a clareza do papel revelou ser mediadora da relação entre as competências e o engagement no trabalho. Em relação ao papel das competências nas competências de carreira, verificámos uma relação positiva significativa entre as mesmas. Globalmente, os nossos resultados sugerem que o domínio das competências afeta a perceção das condições de trabalho, contribui para maiores níveis de engagement pela sua influência na clareza de papel, e contribui para o desenvolvimento de competências de carreira

Effect of ripening period on composition of pepino (Solanum muricatum) fruit grown in Turkey

Pepino is a new crop for Turkey. Raw and mature pepino fruits which were grown in greenhouse in Antalya, Mediterranean region of Turkey, were used for compositional analysis. Moisture, protein, ash, oil, sugar, NDF (Neutral detergent fiber) and ADF (Acid detergent fiber) analysis were done at two stages. Moisture was determined as the main component of the fruit by 93.80 and 91.45% for raw and mature fruit respectively. Pepino fruits have fewer amounts of protein, ash and oil at two stages of raw and mature fruits (0.93, 0.78, 0.46, 0.47, 0.05 and 0.09%, respectively). Sugar is the main component of dry matter especially in mature fruit (7.03%). Also, free sugar contents were determined. The contents of glucose and fructose declined during ripening, whereas sucrose showed an increase in concentration as ripening progressed

Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy for End-stage Heart Failure:Optimizing selection criteria

This thesis has been an effort to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from end-stage heart failure treated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. Moreover, this thesis aimed to assess and thereafter accurately predict the onset of adverse events to aid in future patient selection criteria. Although outcomes following LVAD implantation have greatly improved since its introduction, further research is paramount for the ongoing success of this treatment modality