Using LISA-like Gravitational Wave Detectors to Search for Primordial Black Holes

Primordial black hole (PBH), which can be naturally produced in the early universe, remains a promising dark matter candidate . It can merge with a supermassive black hole (SMBH) in the center of a galaxy and generate gravitational wave (GW) signals in the favored frequency region of LISA-like experiments. In this work, we initiate the study on the event rate calculation for such extreme mass ratio inspirals (EMRI). Including the sensitivities of various proposed GW detectors, we find that such experiments offer a novel and outstanding tool to test the scenario where PBH constitutes (fraction of) dark matter. The PBH energy density fraction of DM ($f_\text{PBH}$) could potentially be explored as small as $10^{-3} \sim 10^{-4}$. Further, LISA has the capability to search for PBH mass upto $10^{-2} \sim 10^{-1} M_\odot$. Other proposed GW experiments can probe lower PBH mass regime.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Use of Q-Learning Approaches for Practical Medium Access Control in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper studies the potential of a novel approach to ensure more efficient and intelligent assignment of capacity through medium access control (MAC) in practical wireless sensor networks. Q-Learning is employed as an intelligent transmission strategy. We review the existing MAC protocols in the context of Q-learning. A recently-proposed, ALOHA and Q-Learning based MAC scheme, ALOHA-Q, is considered which improves the channel performance significantly with a key benefit of simplicity. Practical implementation issues of ALOHA-Q are studied. We demonstrate the performance of the ALOHA-Q through extensive simulations and evaluations in various testbeds. A new exploration/exploitation method is proposed to strengthen the merits of the ALOHA-Q against dynamic the channel and environment conditions. © 2016 Elsevier Lt

A smart building material for low/zero carbon applications: heat insulation solar glass—characteristic results from laboratory andin situtests

Heat insulation solar glass (HISG) is a recently developed smart building material to minimize energy consumption of building sector. HISG might be presumed to be a conventional photovoltaic glazing product; however, it is completely unique by having some characteristic features such as superior thermal insulation, which is competitive with triple-glazed windows using argon as inert gas, acoustic and thermal comfort, self-cleaning ability owing to TiO2 nano-coating on module surface and extraordinary energy saving potential in both summer and winter. In our previous works, comprehensive experimental and numerical works have been carried out for power generation and thermal insulation performance of HISG under various climatic conditions. Within the scope of this research, optical- and lighting-related performance parameters of this smart building material are evaluated through extensive laboratory and in situ tests. Shading coefficient, visible light intensity, and UV and IR penetration are investigated via the tests conducted in real operating conditions. It is achieved from the results that the shading coefficient of HISG is only 0.136, which yields almost 80% reduction in solar heat gain compared with ordinary glazing. It is also observed from the in situ tests that HISG has a %100 UV and 99% IR blocking rate, which is of vital importance in terms of human health and thermal comfort conditions. Glaring effects are totally resolved via HISG, which is still a challenge for the buildings with conventional glazing products, especially in summer

Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis

Taking Schmidt’s (1990) noticing hypothesis as point of departure this study aims to measure attention and learning gains during second language (L2) reading by making use of eye-tracking methodology. Relying on Robinson’s hierarchical memory model (1995, 2003), it is hypothesized that vocabulary learning and attention are closely associated. After a vocabulary pre-test, seventy-five learners of English read a standard text individually while their eye movements were being recorded followed by an immediate post-test. The results revealed that learners spent more time on unknown words than they did on familiar ones. Attention and learning gains also positively correlated; fixation values on an unknown word increased its further recognition probability in post-test. Finally, the findings revealed a cut-off point of approximately 450ms as an activation threshold for noticing. Eye-tracking as a technique to measure attention in second language acquisition (SLA) was also discussed

Recent advances in the analysis of macromolecular interactions using the matrix-free method of sedimentation in the analytical ultracentrifuge

Sedimentation in the analytical ultracentrifuge is a matrix free solution technique with no immobilisation, columns, or membranes required and can be used to study self-association and complex or “hetero”-interactions, stoichiometry, reversibility and interaction strength of a wide variety of macromolecular types and across a very large dynamic range (dissociation constants from 10−12 M to 10−1 M). We extend an earlier review specifically highlighting advances in sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium in the analytical ultracentrifuge applied to protein interactions and mucoadhesion and to review recent applications in protein self-association (tetanus toxoid, agrin), protein-like carbohydrate association (aminocelluloses), carbohydrate-protein interactions (polysaccharide-gliadin), nucleic-acid protein (G-duplexes), nucleic acid-carbohydrate (DNA-chitosan) and finally carbohydrate-carbohydrate (xanthan-chitosan and a ternary polysaccharide complex) interactions

Sustainability Organic Agriculture and Livestock Production with Respect to European Union in Eastern Anatolia and East Black Sea Regions

The majority of farm households in Turkey and especially the Eastern Anatolia are still based on low-input semi subsistence agriculture and livestock production. Despite a slow decline in recent years, agriculture and livestock production remains a major employer in Turkey and it is a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product, GDP. Whist Turkey is one of the EU candidate countries, is self sufficient in food production and Turkish agriculture is poorly structured inefficient, with farming in the Eastern Anatolia being mainly subsistence farming. Yet, these traditional rural structures combined with poor access to low level of education and low level of off-farm unemployment problem makes the situation more complicated and unsustainable. The best way to promote sustainability, better and higher production of Eastern Anatolian and rural Turkey is to invest in the local people, villages through improved, continuing and effective agricultural and livestock programs in particular. Investment in human capital especially in the rural areas leads to more employment opportunities through entrepreneurship and innovation in organic agriculture and livestock production. A holistic approach to developing and improving supply chains could unlock the potential for sophisticated, state-of-the-art organic agriculture and livestock producers and businesses in the region to become EU and global players. Eastern Anatolian livestock producers and the farmers have the ambitions to take part in future progress because the region is naturally organic not by design but default. It is for sure that present potential of the region has not been fully determined and utilized. EU has greatly benefited from previous enlargements economically, politically and socially. When European Union (EU) and Turkish Government relations considered and accession of Turkey to EU would be the logical consequence of the previous accessions. The screening on chapter 11 (Agriculture and rural development) is one of the important criteria and Turkey is working on to meet these benchmarks

Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. Characterized by its potent anti-inflammatory effects, this ASU mixture is recommended to act as an adjuvant treatment for osteoarthritic pain and slow-acting symptomatic treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases; diffuse scleroderma and scleroderma-like states (e.g., morphea, sclerodactyly, scleroderma in bands). Besides, it was reported that it can improve the mood and quality of life of postmenopausal women in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This article aims to summarize the studies on biological effects of the avocado-soybean unsaponifiable, its chemical composition, pharmacotherapy as well as applications in auto-immune, osteoarticular and menopausal disorders. Finally, we will also discuss on its safety, toxicological and regulatory practices

A Multi-Criteria Neutrosophic Group Decision Making Method Based TOPSIS for Supplier Selection

The process of multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) is of determining the best choice among all of the probable alternatives. The problem of supplier selection on which decision maker has usually vague and imprecise knowledge is a typical example ofmulti criteria group decision-making problem. The conventional crisp techniques has notmuch effective for solvingMCDMproblems because of imprecise or fuzziness nature of the linguistic assessments. To find the exact values for MCGDM problems is both difficult and impossible in more cases in real world. So, it is more reasonable to consider the values of alternatives according to the criteria as single valued neutrosophic sets (SVNS). This paper deal with the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach and extend the TOPSIS method to MCGDM problem with single valued neutrosophic information. The value of each alternative and the weight of each criterion are characterized by single valued neutrosophic numbers. Here, the importance of criteria and alternatives is identified by aggregating individual opinions of decision makers (DMs) via single valued neutrosophic weighted averaging (SVNWA) operator. The proposed method is, easy use, precise and practical for solving MCGDM problem with single valued neutrosophic data. Finally, to show the applicability of the developed method, a numerical experiment for supplier choice is given as an application of single valued neutrosophic TOPSIS method at end of this paper

Örgütsel Destek ve Özyeterlik Algısının Akademik Erteleme Davranışı Üzerine Etkisi: Araştırma Görevlileri Üzerinde Bir İnceleme The Effect of Organizational Support and Self-Efficacy Perception on Academic Procrastination Behavior: An Investigation on Research Assistants

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, çalışanların algıladıkları örgütsel desteğin, akademik erteleme davranışı üzerindeki etkisinde özyeterlik algısının rolünü incelemektir. Öncelikli olarak; örgütsel destek, akademik erteleme, özyeterlik değişkenleri incelenmiş, daha sonra örgütsel desteğin akademik erteleme üzerindeki etkisi ve bu ilişki üzerinde özyeterliğin bir rol oynayıp oynamadığına bakılmıştır. Araştırmada, 2015 yılında Erzurum Atatürk Üniversitesi’nde çalışan 228 araştırma görevlisinden anket tekniği ile veri toplanmıştır ve bu veriler uygun analizlere tabi tutulmuştur. Elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda araştırma görevlilerinin algıladıkları örgütsel desteğin özyeterlik algısıyla pozitif, akademik erteleme davranışlarıyla negatif yönlü; özyeterlik algısının akademik erteleme davranışıyla negatif yönlü ilişkili olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca araştırmada örgütsel destek algısı ile akademik erteleme davranışı arasındaki ilişkide özyeterlik algısının tam bir aracılık rolü üstlendiği sonucu elde edilmiştir. The primary aim of this study was to examine the role of self-efficacy perception in the effect of organizational support perceived by employees on their academic procrastination behaviors. Initially; the variables of organizational support, academic procrastination and self-efficacy were examined. Afterwards, the effect of organizational support on academic procrastination and the role of self-efficacy in this relationship were investigated. The data was collected via survey technique from 228 research assistants working at Erzurum Atatürk University in 2015 and the data was analyzed with appropriate methods. The results showed a positive relationship between organizational support and self-efficacy perception while a negative relationship was observed between organizational support and academic procrastination behavior. Additionally, self-efficacy perception was found to be negatively related to academic procrastination behavior. Finally, self-efficacy was found to have a full mediating role on the relationship between perceived organizational support and academic procrastination behavior

The Relationship Between Primary Energy Consumption, Production and Gross Domestic Income (GDP) in Turkey

Ülkelerin sürdürülebilir bir ekonomik büyümeyi yakalayabilmeleri, öncelikle enerjikaynaklarının etkin bir şekilde kullanılmasına bağlıdır. Ancak enerji kaynaklarınındünya üzerinde eşit bir dağılım göstermemesi, Türkiye gibi yetersiz enerji kaynaklarınasahip olan ülkelerin enerjiye olan bağımlılığını arttırmaktadır. Dolayısıyla dışardansağlanan enerji kaynaklarının iktisadi büyüme içerisindeki payının değerlendirilmesibüyük önem arz etmektedir. Bu çalışmada enerji tüketimi, enerji üretimi ile GSYİHarasındaki nedensellik ilişkisi Türkiye'nin 1960-2009 dönemi yıllık verileri kullanılarakincelenmektedir. Nedensellik sınamasında Johansen eşbütünleşme ve Grangernedensellik testleri kullanılmıştır. Johansen eşbütünleşme testi sonuçları ele alınandönem için değişkenler arasında uzun dönemli bir ilişkinin varlığını göstermiştir.Ayrıca enerji tüketimi ile GSYİH arasında iki yönlü nedensellik tespit edilmiştir. The ability to reach a sustainable economic growth of countries initially depends on theusage of energy resources efficiently. But an unequal distribution of energy resourcesin the world increases the dependency on energy in countries which have insufficientenergy resources such as Turkey. Therefore, it has a great importance to analyze theshare of imported energy resources for economic growth. The correlation betweenenergy consumption and changes in gross domestic product, increases the importanceof energy policies while determining the economical policies of countries. In this study, the causality relationship between energy consumption, energy generation and GDP inTurkey are examined using annual data for the period 1960-2009. Johansencointegration test and Granger causality test is used for this study. Empirical resultsfor the period under discussion there is a relationship between the variables based onlong-term Johansen Cointegration test. Also it showed that bileteral causality with theenergy consumption to GDP