USING RATIO ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE INSURANCE FIRMS OPERATING IN TURKEY

Insurance appeared so as to defend individuals against the losses and the costs that will occur depending on the various conditions along with the necessity of taking precautions beforehand throughout the people’s life. In other words, insurance is a form of attitude that occurs as a result of request and wish in order to supply the needs of the individuals in the future. The financial reports of the insurance companies are different from the financial reports of the firms that operate in the commercial and industrial field. The firms in the sector, contrary to the other businesses, have to compose accounts in such a way that it also includes the details reproduced by the characteristics of the service. The characteristics of the insurance businesses that they have will also reflect on the financial reports of insurance (Karasu,1996: 20-24). These characteristics can be juxtaposed as: a-In the insurance companies, it is certainly not possible to determine the profit or the loss of the period. This is because each price of the service provided depends on a set of probability calculations. b-The technical compensations that express the cautions of the firms are reserved from the insurance premium that the insured person has paid unlike the other businesses that reserve from the benefit. c-As the technical compensations depend on a set of probability calculations, the financial reports will have a definite margin of error. Under the lights of these explanations, our study aims to assess all the insurance companies (except for the unreached firms and the life insurance branch) that operate in the country by using the ratio analysis towards the dynamic analysis within the period of seven years including the years 2000-2006, and suggests some ideas on the trend of the sector

Accounting for a spatial trend in fine-scale ground-penetrating radar data: A comparative case study

In geostatistics, one of the challenges is to account for the spatial trend that is evident in a data-set. Two well-known kriging algorithms, namely universal kriging (UK) and intrinsic random function of order k (IRF-k), are mainly used to deal with the trend apparent in the data-set. These two algorithms differ in the way they account for the trend and they both have different advantages and drawbacks. In this study, the performances of UK, IRF-k, and ordinary kriging (OK) methods are compared on densely sampled ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data acquired to assist in delineation of the ore and waste contact within a laterite-type bauxite deposit. The original GPR data was first pre-processed to generate prediction and validation data sets in order to compare the estimation performance of each kriging algorithm. The structural analysis required for each algorithm was carried out and the resulting variograms and generalized covariance models were verified through cross-validation. The variable representing the elevation of the ore unit base was then estimated at the unknown locations using the prediction data-set. The estimated values were compared against the validation data using mean absolute error (MAE) and mean squared error (MSE) criteria. The results show although IRF-k slightly outperformed OK and UK, all the algorithms produced satisfactory and similar results. MSE values obtained from the comparison with the validation data were 0.1267, 0.1322, and 0.1349 for IRF-k, OK, and UK algorithms respectively. The similarity in the results generated by these algorithms is explained by the existence of a large data-set and the chosen neighbourhood parameters for the kriging technique

Bee Products as Functional Food

The studies that reveal the impact of the bee products on overall health are accompanied by new researches every year, and the importance of these researches are gradually on the rise. Bee products that are used as food and food supplements and drug concentrations in the historic process are drawing the attention with their marvellous characteristic features. The search for nourishment of the body on behalf of healthy living is currently being searched by many people. Therefore, the consumption of products that protect the health appears as the primary preference of people. In the light of this recent tendency, food sector is now offering well-supported products that are suitable for this preference. At this point, bee products such as honey, pollen, bee bread, royal jelly and propolis gain importance as functional food with their nutritious features that help in protecting the health. In this article, within the consideration of the researches that evaluate bee products as functional food, we aim to introduce the prominence of bee products in our nourishment and overall health

Unplanned dilution and ore loss prediction in longhole stoping mines via multiple regression and artificial neural network analyses

Unplanned dilution and ore loss directly influence not only the productivity of underground stopes, but also the profitability of the entire mining process. Stope dilution is a result of complex interactions between a number of factors, and cannot be predicted prior to mining. In this study, unplanned dilution and ore loss prediction models were established using multiple linear and nonlinear regression analysis (MLRA and MNRA), as well as an artificial neural network (ANN) method based on 1067 datasets with ten causative factors from three underground longhole stoping mines in Western Australia. Models were established for individual mines, as well as a general model that includes all of the mine data-sets. The correlation coefficient (R) was used to evaluate the methods, and the values for MLRA, MNRA, and ANN compared with the general model were 0.419, 0.438, and 0.719, respectively. Considering that the current unplanned dilution and ore loss prediction for the mines investigated yielded an R of 0.088, the ANN model results are noteworthy. The proposed ANN model can be used directly as a practical tool to predict unplanned dilution and ore loss in mines, which will not only enhance productivity, but will also be beneficial for stope planning and design

Relationship of iron ore price with other major commodity prices

Understanding the interdependency of commodity market pricing system is very important for running a successful mining business. Much of the iron ore price is derived from the prices of other commodities. This study investigates the relationship between monthly iron ore prices against 12 other monthly commodity prices or indices including LNG, aluminium, nickel, silver, Australian coal, zinc, gold, oil, tin, copper, lead, and Commodity Price Index (Metals) in both bivariate and multivariate perspectives. An augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test is carried out to ensure that all the time series commodity prices and index are non-stationary. In multivariate modelling co-integration tests, observation is made on how many co-integrations exist out of 12 co-integrations for each respective lag between 0 and 45 months’ period. It is observed that 6 out of 12 commodity prices follow co-integrations in 1-month lag and continues in a cyclic pattern until 27 months after which it disappears. There are 3 commodities which continuously co-integrate with iron ore price change at all lags. For bivariate modelling, vector error correction model (VECM) estimation is carried out to prove the evidence of short-run responses to long-term relationship between iron ore prices and it is observed that oil, copper, and Australian coal prices have influence on and from iron ore prices. Then, Granger causality test is carried out to verify the VECM result by testing bi-directional causality between iron ore prices and copper, oil, and coal prices. It has been concluded that the iron ore price has bi-directional influence on oil, copper, and Australian coal prices and vice versa

Integrated short and medium term underground mine production scheduling

The development of short- and medium-term mine production schedules in isolation from each other has meant that only a local optimum can be achieved when each scheduling phase is carried out. The globally optimal solution, however, can be achieved when integrating scheduling phases and accounting for the interaction between short-term and medium-term activities simultaneously. This paper addresses the task of integrating short- and medium term production plans by combining the short-term objective of minimizing deviation from targeted mill feed grade with the medium-term objective of maximizing net present value (NPV) into a single mathematical optimization model. A conceptual sublevel stoping operation comprising 30 stopes is used for trialling segregated and integrated scheduling approaches. Segregated medium- and short-term scheduling using separate models achieved an NPV of $42 654 456. The final scheduling approach involved integrating the two scheduling horizons using the newly-developed globally optimal integrated production scheduling model to achieve an NPV of$42 823 657 with smoother mill feed grade. The larger the stope data set, the larger the difference between the two scheduling approaches is likely to be. At the very least, an integrated approach ensures feasibility across the two scheduling horizons, which cannot always be assumed when using a segregated approach

A Study on the Problems of International Students in the Academic and Social Life

Küreselleşme sürecinin sağladığı ivmeyle birlikte son yıllarda uluslararası_x000D_ öğrenci hareketliliğinde ciddi bir artış olduğu gözlemlenmektedir. Genellikle_x000D_ İngilizce konuşulan ülkelere gerçekleşen bu hareketlilik ev sahibi ülkelere hem_x000D_ ekonomik hem de kültürel birçok alanda katkı sağlamaktadır. Böylece_x000D_ uluslararası öğrenci hareketliliği ülkeler için ilgi çekici olmakta ve buna ilişkin_x000D_ politikalar üretilmektedir. Türkiye de bu bağlamda son yıllarda uluslararası_x000D_ öğrenci hareketliliğinin artış sağladığı ülkeler arasında yer almaktadır. Buna göre_x000D_ bu çalışma öncelikle dünyada uluslararası öğrenci hareketliliğini açıklamaktadır._x000D_ Daha sonra Türkiye’de ve Sakarya Üniversitesi özelinde uluslararası öğrencilerin_x000D_ hareketliliğini incelemektedir. Çalışmanın ikinci kısmında uluslararası_x000D_ öğrencilerin sorunlarına ilişkin literatür analiz edilerek bu sorunların hangi_x000D_ bağlamlarda tartışıldığı ortaya konulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada sorunlar iki başlık_x000D_ altında toplanarak eğitim (akademik) ve sosyo-ekonomik (sosyal yaşam)_x000D_ sorunlar bağlamlarında değerlendirilmektedir. Çalışmada veri toplama tekniği_x000D_ olarak yüz yüze anket yöntemi kullanılmıştır. SPSS analizi sonrası C&A değeri_x000D_ 0,817 çıkmıştır. Bulgular arasında oryantasyon eksikliği, iletişim eksikliği,_x000D_ eğitimin niteliğine dair endişe, ekonomik durum ve sıla hasreti gibi sorunlar_x000D_ bulunmaktadırWith the momentum provided by the globalization process, it has been observed_x000D_ that there has been a substantial increase in international student mobility in_x000D_ recent years. The mobility, mostly occurring towards the English speaking_x000D_ countries, contributes to host countries in many ways particularly economic and_x000D_ culturally. Thus, international student mobility is interesting for countries and_x000D_ policies are produced about that. In this context, Turkey in recent years rank_x000D_ among these countries which international student mobility increased._x000D_ Accordingly, the study primarily explains international students mobility in the_x000D_ world. Then it examines the international student mobility in Turkey by taking_x000D_ Sakarya University as case study. In the second part of the work, by analyzing the_x000D_ literature on international students’ problems, it has been revealed that in which_x000D_ context the problems being discussed. In this study, the problems are gathered_x000D_ under two titles and evaluated in the context of education (academic) and socioeconomic (social life) problems. This study used face to face survey method as_x000D_ data collection technique. After SPSS analysis, C&A value was found as 0,817._x000D_ Findings include problems such as; lack of orientation and communication,_x000D_ concerns about the quality of education, economic situation and homesickness

A Critical Point in Beekeeping: Beekeepers’ Health

Beekeeping activity implies a series of intensive processes and a variety of risks. After examining studies on beekeeping activity, it became obvious that beekeeping risk factors and beekeeping health studies are quite limited throughout world. This study aimed to reveal the possible effects of this activity on beekeepers health and to bring recommendations to be applied during practice. The beekeeper is often exposed to adverse effects such as mechanical and physical difficulties, environmental and climatic conditions: high temperature, time related stress, colonies transfer stress, insomnia, bee venom and smoke exposure during production activities. Any disadvantages that might occur in an environmentally friendly production context can be attributed to possible disruptions, injuries, psychological disorders and/or occupational accidents. The difficulties of living away from home and an irregular diet are constantly placing beekeeper’s health under pressure. The difficult process of bringing bee products to the table, influences on beekeeper’s health. In this production process, the beekeeper must make proof of his own health as well. Despite the reduction of labour force and risks through modern tools and equipment support in the developed countries, there are multiple risks in every stage of honey production, which is dependent on natural conditions. The results of the present research should bring awareness on the subject of beekeepers health and establish grounds about occupational health and safety in beekeeping activities

Investigation of the Effectiveness of a CEIT Undergraduate Program on Students’ Competencies

Bu çalışma, bir Bilgisayar ve Öğretim Teknolojileri Eğitimi (BÖTE) lisans programının öğrencilerin farklı mesleklere yönelik yeterliklerine katkısının incelenmesi amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu amaçla, 2015 yılında Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi, Bilgisayar ve Öğretim Teknolojileri Öğretmenliği Programında öğrenim gören son sınıf öğrencilerinin dört yıl boyunca aldıkları eğitimin, gerçekleştirebilecekleri farklı mesleklere yönelik yeterliklerine ve ayrıca öğretim programında yer alan derslerin bu mesleklere yönelik yeterliklerine etkisi incelenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi BÖTE bölümünde; birinci öğretim ve ikinci öğretim olmak üzere son sınıfta öğrenim gören toplam 108 öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma 2014–2015 güz yarıyılında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu tarih aralığında programların öz değerlendirmelerinin yapılması ve sürekli geliştirilmesine yönelik yapılan bilimsel çalışmalardan biridir. Çalışma kesitsel tarama modelinde yürütülmüştür. Çalışma kapsamında, öğrencilerin gelecekte yapmayı düşündükleri meslek, bu meslek ile ilgili kendilerini yeterli görme düzeyleri, BÖTE lisans programı ve bu programda dört yıl boyunca gördükleri derslerin yeterliklerine ne kadar katkı sağladığıyla ilgili görüşlerini belirlemeyi içeren bir anket veri toplama aracı olarak kullanılmıştır. Veriler betimleyici ve anlam çıkarıcı istatistikler kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre öğrenciler gelecekte en çok bilgisayar öğ- retmeni, bilişim teknolojileri rehber öğretmeni, formatör öğretmen ve eğitim teknoloğu mesleklerini yapmakta kendilerini yeterli görmektedirler. Kendilerini en az yeterli gördükleri meslekler ise; sunucu sistemleri uzmanı, yazılım geliştirici, ağ sistemleri uzmanı ve web yazılımı geliştirici şeklindedir. Bunlara ek olarak “ölçme değerlendirme”, “özel öğretim yöntemleri”, “çoklu ortam tasarımı ve üretimi” ve “eğitimde bireysel farklılıklar” derslerinin kendilerine en çok katkı sağladığını ifade etmişlerdir. Araştırma sonucunda, öğrencilerin devlet sektöründe istihdam edilebilecekleri meslekler dışında kalan meslekleri yeterince tanımadığı, mesleki çeşitlilik sağlaması açısından verilen yazılım vb. derslerin mesleki yeterliklerine yeterince katkı sağlamadı- ğı görülmüştür. Araştırmanın sonuçları dikkate alınırken yayına hazırlanma ve değerlendirme süreçlerinde geçen zaman göz ardı edilmemelidir. Fakat yöntem ve öz değerlendirme açısından benzer çalışmalar yapılarak öğretim programlarının kalitesinin artırılmaya çalışılması önerilmektedir. Ayrıca mesleki yeterliklerin ve farkındalıkların artırılması için mezuniyet öncesi mesleki rehberlik konusunda öğrencilere destek olmak üzere, üniversitelerde lisans programlarıyla iş birliği içinde çalışan kariyer rehberlik servislerinin açılmasının fayda sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir.This study was carried out to examine the contribution of the undergraduate program of a Computer Education and Instructional Technologies_x000D_ (CEIT) to students’ various professional competencies. For this purpose,_x000D_ CEIT preservice teachers’ views on the adequacy of their undergraduate_x000D_ education to develop their competencies for various professions offering_x000D_ potential employment and the effect of the CEIT undergraduate courses on_x000D_ these competencies were investigated. The participants were enrolled in the_x000D_ CEIT Undergraduate Program of the Faculty of Education at Sakarya_x000D_ University. The study was conducted with 108 senior students in the fall_x000D_ semester of 2014–2015 by applying the cross-sectional survey model, as part_x000D_ of a self-assessment and continuous development of the program. A questionnaire was used for the data collection that included questions about target professions of preservice teachers, efficacy beliefs as an indicator of their_x000D_ competencies related to the profession, their perceptions about the CEIT_x000D_ program, and their perceptions about the contribution of the undergraduate_x000D_ courses to their professional competencies. The data were analyzed via inferential statistics. The results indicate that the preservice teachers felt the most_x000D_ qualified in working as a computer teacher, information technology counsellor, formative teacher, and an educational technologist. The professions in_x000D_ which the participants saw themselves the least qualified were server systems_x000D_ specialist, software developer, network systems specialist, and web software_x000D_ developer. Moreover, it was reported that the courses in the CEIT curriculum providing the highest benefit for improving their competencies were_x000D_ “measurement and evaluation”, “special teaching methods”, “multimedia_x000D_ design”, and “individual differences in education”. Furthermore, the participants did not know much about the jobs that they can work except for those_x000D_ in the public sector, such as working as a teacher or information technology_x000D_ counsellor. Additionally, the software courses in the CEIT curriculum did_x000D_ not contribute enough to develop their competencies to work in softwarerelated jobs. To interpret the results of the current study in a more appropriate way, it is important to take into account the time lost before the publication of the study. However, it is strongly recommended to conduct further research to find out the effects of the CEIT undergraduate program_x000D_ curricula on developing job-related competencies and to conduct self-evaluation studies for continuous development. Besides, establishing career guidance services in universities may help CEIT students to be aware of the_x000D_ potential job prospects related to their competencies, and help them gain_x000D_ better knowledge and skills regarding their major

Psychometric properties of university student form of student engagement scale in online learning : Çevrimiçi öğrenmede öğrenci bağlılığı ölçeği üniversite öğrencisi formunun psikometrik özellikleri

Research Problem / Aim The aim of this study was to introduce the psychometric properties of the Student Engagement Scale for Online Learning which was used to measure the engagement of students in online learning environment by using the validity and reliability study in the sample of university students who took lessons online. Method There were studies conducted with the scale in Turkey. However, this study carried out with a sample of students who meet the requirement of taking online course. Original scale consists of three sub-dimensions. Name of the sub-dimensions are “Behavioral Engagement”, “Emotional Engagement” and “Cognitive Engagement”. The psychometric properties of the instrument were presented by translation, linguistic equivalence, validity and reliability studies. Translation to Turkish of the scale was made by the researchers. A preliminary form was formed by taking the opinions of a total of six experts that one of them from the department of ELT (English language teaching), one of them from educational measurement & evaluation, one of them from Turkish language teaching, one of them from education psychology, and two of them were educational technology.  For linguistic equivalence, the preliminary form was applied to 20 ELT students. The correlation analysis show that the linguistic equivalence of the scale had shown significant correlation between the Turkish and English forms. After the linguistic equivalence was provided, last form of the scale was applied to 587 university students enrolled at the Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Amasya University. Results and Conclusions As a result of the analyzes, confirmatory factor analysis fit indices was calculated as Χ2/sd: 2.827, GFI: .93, AGFI: .91, CFI: .98, NFI: .97, RMSEA: .05 and SRMR: .06. Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficients that calculated for the reliability of the sub-dimensions were between .71 and .86. The results obtained from confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analyses was indicated that the scale is reliable and valid. It is suggested to use the scale in determining the student's engagement in online learning environments research. ​Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.   Özet Araştırma Problemi/Amaç Bu çalışmanın amacı, çevrimiçi öğrenme ortamlarında öğrencilerin öğrenme ortamına bağlılıklarını ölçmek için “Çevrimiçi Öğrenmede Öğrenci Bağlılığı Ölçeği”nin çevrimiçi ders almış üniversite öğrencileri örnekleminde geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmasının yapılarak psikometrik özelliklerinin ortaya konulmasıdır. Yöntem Ölçekle ilgili Türkiye’de yapılmış çalışmalar bulunmaktadır fakat bu çalışmada çevrimiçi ders alma koşulunu sağlayan öğrencilerden oluşan bir örneklem üzerinde çalışılmıştır. Ölçeğin orijinali; davranışsal bağlılık, duyuşsal bağlılık ve bilişsel bağlılık şeklinde adlandırılan üç faktörden oluşmaktadır. Ölçeğin psikometrik özellikleri çeviri, dilsel eşdeğerlik, geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmaları sonucunda ortaya konulmuştur. Ölçeğin çevirisi araştırmacılar tarafından yapıldıktan sonra bir İngilizce, bir ölçme değerlendirme, bir Türkçe, bir eğitim psikolojisi, iki eğitim teknolojisi uzmanı olmak üzere toplam altı uzmandan görüş alınmıştır. Görüşler doğrultusunda ön uygulama formu oluşturulmuştur. Oluşturulan form dilsel eşdeğerlik için İngilizce öğretmenliği programında öğrenim gören 20 öğrenciye bir hafta ara ile uygulanmıştır. Ölçeğin dilsel eşdeğerliğini ölçmek için yapılan korelasyon analizi ölçeğin Türkçe ve İngilizce formları arasında korelasyonun anlamlı olduğunu göstermiştir. Dil eşdeğerliğinin sağlanmasının ardından ölçek formu Amasya Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulunda öğrenim gören 587 üniversite öğrencisine uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlar ve Öneriler Analizler sonucunda doğrulayıcı faktör analizi uyum katsayıları Χ2/sd: 2.827, GFI: .93, AGFI: .91, CFI: .98, NFI: .97, RMSEA: .05 ve SRMR: .06 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Ölçeğin alt boyutlarının güvenirliği için hesaplanan Cronbach alfa iç tutarlık katsayıları .71 ile .86 aralında değişmektir. Ölçeğin doğrulayıcı faktör analizi ve güvenirliğine yönelik bulgular, ölçeğin geçerli ve güvenilir olduğunu göstermektedir. Ölçeğin, çevrimiçi öğrenme ortamlarında gerçekleştirilen çalışmalarda öğrenci bağlılığını belirlemek üzere kullanılması önerilmektedir