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The principal objectives of this paper are to develop and validate an optimum interpolation method for the spatial analysis of monthly precipitation in Turkey. A two-dimensional optimum interpolation objective analysis scheme has been developed for the spatial analysis of precipitation. The model is developed for generating statistically optimum interpolation based on the irregular distribution of meteorological stations. One question that affects the optimum interpolation method and, indeed, all such techniques, is how many observations should be allowed to influence a given grid point? The method developed in this paper addresses this question. For the implementation of the method, 52 stations are considered for Turkey, with 30 years of monthly data at each point. It is observed that each monthly average spatial correlation function shows a monotonically decreasing pattern based on15 km interval averages. The method provides high estimation accuracy in dense station locations such as in northwestern Turkey. Precipitation contour maps obtained by the optimum interpolation method indicate two spatial trends over Turkey which have not been identified in any previous study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with an intervention group (n = 61) and a control group (n = 63) consisting of primipara pregnant women. The pregnant women in the intervention group were asked to focus their attention on Maryam's flower opening its leaf buds and imagine the labor's progress during the course of their labor. The VAS was administered to each group at specific times (at 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm, 8–9 cm cervical dilatation) to determine their level of labor pain. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups' mean pain scores at 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm, and 8–9 cm cervical dilatation (p <.05). The labor duration of the pregnant women in the intervention group was significantly shorter than that of the pregnant women in the control group (p =.017). The physical comfort level of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group at 8–9 cm cervical dilatation (p =.039). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft sets are efficient mathematical structures to model systems in multiple relations. Since a soft set is basically set system, it is possible to endow them with a proper distance function to obtain a metric space. By this embedding, we propose a discretization of the Ricci curvatures that stresses the relational character of universe elements in a soft set through the analysis of parameters rather than the elements themselves. The Forman and Ollivier-type Ricci curvatures we propose here quantifies the trade-off between parameter size and the cardinality of participation of parameterized universe elements in other parameters. Such discretizations of the Ricci curvature have already been applied to complex systems; however, it has not yet been formulated for soft sets. In this study, our main question is whether the defined geometric concept determines statistics for soft set models. Two examples are discussed for the answer to this question. The first example Ricci on soft sets model of occupational accidents occurred in Turkey in 2013–2014 is compared with the Wasserstein distance of the curvature distributions. The second example is the use of Ricci curvatures as an indicator in the soft sets model of a financial system while the system is in stress. These real world examples show that discrete Ricci curvatures for soft sets offer effective statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While extended intergroup contact has been commonly studied in the context of prejudice reduction, less is known about its implications for processes related to the ingroup. Through three correlational and one experimental studies (total N = 897) conducted in two different intergroup contexts (Turkey and United Kingdom), we investigated whether extended intergroup contact relates to social distance and attitudes towards ingroup members as a function of outgroup attitudes. We also investigated ingroup identification and perceived ingroup morality as potential mediators in these associations. Correlational studies demonstrated that especially when outgroup attitudes were more negative, participants' positive (but not negative) extended contact was related to a more negative evaluation of the ingroup; whereas when outgroup attitudes were more positive, extended contact was associated with positive attitudes towards the ingroup. We found experimental evidence for the suggested relationships in relation to ingroup social distance. Findings are discussed in the light of vicarious dissonance theory and deprovincialization hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence against women (VAW) in Turkey is concerning, and to develop and implement effective prevention strategies for addressing it, careful consideration must be given to the factors that influence it. In this review, we synthesized the body of literature on VAW in Turkey according to a social ecological framework, which is a theoretical model considering the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors. Consistent with this framework, we obtained research articles and commentaries in Turkish and English from a variety of national and international databases and websites regarding risk factors, cultural practices violating women's rights, and trends and current practices, including prevention efforts. Our review revealed that factors influencing VAW are marriage at young age, lower education level, alcohol abuse, and childhood trauma or abuse history for individual level; having multiple partners, low relationship satisfaction, and forced marriage for relationship level; poverty, lack of social support, and lack of employment opportunities for community level; cultural acceptance of men's superiority and dominance over women, acceptance of violence, cultural practices, and weak legal sanctions for societal level. Additionally, we reviewed multilevel prevention strategies in the extant literature on effective prevention and intervention efforts according to social ecological framework and proposed research, practice, and policy implications derived from this framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of a psychiatric nursing approach based on the Tidal Model. The outcome variable was resilience in women survivors of violence. The experimental and descriptive study was conducted with a control group and a pretest post-test procedure. The research was carried out with 13 women in the intervention and 14 women in the control group. Resilience Scale for Adults Turkish Version (RSA) was used. Seven one to one sessions were performed with the intervention group. Inter-group comparison of pre- and post-test variation showed significant variations in favor of the intervention group in perception of the future and RSA scale total scores. Consequently the resilience of the intervention group increased, and they had a more positive, target-focused view of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a notable minority orient to real‐world demonstrations by actively participating, other less involved, safer, orientations are more frequent. Thus, in the context of anti‐government demonstrations in Gezi Park/Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2013, we distinguished between the orientations of participating, visiting, and watching. Study 1 (N = 359) and Study 2 (N = 327) confirmed that participating was characterized by greater experience of police violence and feelings of collective empowerment (Drury & Reicher, European Journal of Social Psychology, 35, 2005, 35) than visiting and watching the demonstrations. Expanding upon and replicating the findings from Study 1, Study 2 examined identification with protestors and left‐wing ideology, along with constructs (social support, anger at the government, protestor's efficacy, endorsement of protestors) from the dynamic dual pathway model (van Zomeren et al., Personality and Social Psychology Review, 16, 2012, 180) as predictors of the three different orientations to the demonstrations. As expected, the dynamic dual pathway model predicted reported participation via endorsement of protestors, independent of identification with protestors and left‐wing ideology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social commerce has become a hot topic since the beginning of Web 2.0 era; however, relevant research is scarce in emerging economies. This study aims to fill this research gap and answer the main research question of "what type of relevant personality traits and shopping motivations affect social commerce adoption intentions". The research model was developed upon personality traits (openness to experience, need for uniqueness and buying impulsiveness) that are deemed to be relevant to online shopping and social media use. An online questionnaire was conducted on social media users. A total of 269 valid questionnaires were analyzed via structural equation modeling to test for the proposed relationships, majority of which emerged as non-linear. The findings highlight the significance of socialization motives in addition to utilitarian and hedonic shopping motives on social commerce adoption intentions. Openness to experience emerged as a significant trait that has an indirect effect on social commerce adoption intentions. Age and education materialized as significant demographics influencing shopping motivations in a social commerce setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Badea, Jetten, Iyer, and Er‐Rafiy proposed a model that specifies immigrants' experienced rejection by majority and minority groups and social identification with these groups as predictors of their acculturation attitudes. The present research tested an extended version of this model by assessing (i) both positive and negative contact experiences with majority and minority groups, (ii) social identification with these groups and religious groups, and (iii) acculturation attitudes. We surveyed individuals with Greek (N = 186) and Turkish (N = 138) migration background living in Germany. The proposed model yielded a good fit with the empirical data and showed that positive and negative contact with majority and minority groups predicted minority members' acculturation attitudes, mediated via identification with the majority, minority, and religious group. Our findings support the extended model and contribute to a broader understanding of contact–identification–acculturation links in the context of migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The prevalence of dementia is increasing among people with a Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese-Creole background. Because informal care is very important in these communities, it is pertinent to see what explanations female family carers have for dementia and whether they can discuss dementia openly within the community and the family. Method Forty-one individual interviews and six focus group interviews (n = 28) were held with female Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese Creole family carers who are looking after a close relative with dementia, and who live in The Netherlands. Qualitative analysis has been carried out, supported by the software MaxQda. Results The dominant explanations of dementia given by the female family carers interviewed are in line with what Downs et al. describe as the explanatory models ‘dementia as a normal ageing process’ and ‘dementia as a spiritual experience’. In addition, some female family carers gave explanations that were about an interplay between various factors. Turkish and Moroccan informal caregivers ascribe the causes of dementia relatively often to life events or personality traits, whereas Surinamese Creole caregivers frequently mention physical aspects, such as past dehydration. However, the explanatory model ‘dementia as a neuropsychiatric condition', which is dominant in Western cultures, was rarely expressed by the informal caregivers. The female family carers generally talked openly about the dementia with their close family, whereas particularly in the Turkish and Moroccan communities open communication within the broader communities was often hampered, e.g. by feelings of shame. Conclusions Female family carers of Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese Creole backgrounds often consider dementia as a natural consequence of ageing, as a spiritual experience, and/or as an interplay between various factors. They feel they can talk openly about dementia within their close family, while outside the close family this is often more difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have recently begun to take a person-centered (profile) approach to investigate how the affective, normative and continuance commitment mindsets combine within the three-component model of organizational commitment. The meaningfulness of the profiles identified in this research depends, in part, on evidence that similar profiles emerge across samples, particularly those drawn from a common population. We conducted a particularly stringent test of similarity by comparing profiles for samples of employees drawn from a large Turkish conglomerate prior to (N = 346) and following (N = 797) a major economic crisis. Using procedures recently introduced by Morin et al., (2016) we found similarity in the number (seven) and structure of the profiles before and after the crisis; only the distribution of individuals across profiles (i.e. the relative size of the profiles) differed. We also found similarity in the patterns of relations with theoretical antecedent, correlate, and outcome variables, suggesting that a common set of principles might be operating regardless of major differences in the work environment. In addition to providing strong evidence for the meaningfulness of commitment profiles, this study is one of the first to investigate the impact of an economic crisis on employee commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the help seeking behaviours of patients from two geographically distinct provinces of Turkey. A questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics and help seeking ways was applied to 49 schizophrenia patients from Van, 99 from Ankara. The ratio of patients seeking psychiatric help at the beginning of their illness was 76% in Ankara, the capital city, in contrast to 54% in Van (p = 0.01). Twenty-two percent of patients from Ankara and 69% from Van reported that non-psychiatric help seeking was the choice of their families (p < 0.001). Thirty-five percent of all patients sought religious support when their symptoms started. Patients with lower education levels sought more religious help (p = 0.002). Help seeking behaviours show regional variations. Religious help seeking behaviour is a major way of dealing with the illness. Psychoeducation is a crucial need both for patients and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Currently, in Turkey, fault rates in traffic accidents are determined according to the initiative of accident experts (no speed analyses of vehicles just considering accident type) and there are no specific quantitative instructions on fault rates related to procession of accidents which just represents the type of collision (side impact, head to head, rear end, etc.) in No. 2918 Turkish Highway Traffic Act (THTA 1983). The aim of this study is to introduce a scientific and systematic approach for determination of fault rates in most frequent property damage-only (PDO) traffic accidents in Turkey.Methods: In this study, data (police reports, skid marks, deformation, crush depth, etc.) collected from the most frequent and controversial accident types (4 sample vehicle-vehicle scenarios) that consist of PDO were inserted into a reconstruction software called vCrash. Sample real-world scenarios were simulated on the software to generate different vehicle deformations that also correspond to energy-equivalent speed data just before the crash. These values were used to train a multilayer feedforward artificial neural network (MFANN), function fitting neural network (FITNET, a specialized version of MFANN), and generalized regression neural network (GRNN) models within 10-fold cross-validation to predict fault rates without using software. The performance of the artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models was evaluated using mean square error (MSE) and multiple correlation coefficient (R).Results: It was shown that the MFANN model performed better for predicting fault rates (i.e., lower MSE and higher R) than FITNET and GRNN models for accident scenarios 1, 2, and 3, whereas FITNET performed the best for scenario 4. The FITNET model showed the second best results for prediction for the first 3 scenarios. Because there is no training phase in GRNN, the GRNN model produced results much faster than MFANN and FITNET models. However, the GRNN model had the worst prediction results. The R values for prediction of fault rates were close to 1 for all folds and scenarios.Conclusions: This study focuses on exhibiting new aspects and scientific approaches for determining fault rates of involvement in most frequent PDO accidents occurring in Turkey by discussing some deficiencies in THTA and without regard to initiative and/or experience of experts. This study yields judicious decisions to be made especially on forensic investigations and events involving insurance companies. Referring to this approach, injury/fatal and/or pedestrian-related accidents may be analyzed as future work by developing new scientific models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Fossil fuel utilization for residential heating is still a major source of fine particulate matter (PM10) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), despite the increasing consumption of natural gas in some cities in Turkey. In the present study, PM10 and SO2 air pollution and residential natural gas consumption (RNGC) were modelled by various multi-parameter time series modelling methods (TSMs). To estimate short-term pollution levels considering the future estimates of RNGC and meteorological factors, a time series dataset was designed for the years 2007-2013. Factor analysis was also performed to aid in the selection of variables for constructing TSMs. The error measures and coefficient of determination ( R2) were used to evaluate forecasting accuracy of the models constructed. In the short-term estimation of RNGC, PM10, and SO2 for 2014-2015, temperature dependent ARIMAX(1,1,2) ( R2 = 0.944) and RNGC and meteorological factors dependent SARIMAX(0,1,1)(1,1,0)12 ( R2 = 0.761) and ARIMAX(1,1,0) ( R2 = 0.698) models, respectively, yielded the best fitting scores and accuracy measures. The models performed well in reflecting the time series data and thus, could be utilized in energy planning for sustainable development concerning environmental decision making and short-term air quality forecasting for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine theoretical and methodological issues associated with the roles of individual and group-normative importance in self-esteem determination. Critical issues include multicollinearity among the physical self-subdomains, which may have affected previous results, and the need for a multidimensional perspective on importance models. We apply state-of-the-art methodologies, including exploratory structural equation modelling and the product-of-indicators approach to latent interactions. Positive interactions would be required to support the individually importance-weighted average model, but none were observed in the multidimensional model estimated on the full sample. Nonetheless, some interaction effects were found in the country-specific version of the model. Rather, we found support for the alternative group importance-weighted average model. We conclude that domain-specific self-concepts are weighted differently and thus differentially affect self-esteem, but these weights do not seem to depend on individual differences in importance. Although awaiting confirmation from further studies, our results suggest the idea that individuals use mainly normative importance processes based on cultural factors in weighting each domain-specific component of self-concept. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) tools, we investigated relationships among Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (Landsat-7 ETM+) satellite bands and some soil surface variables of Central Kelkit Basin in Turkey. We collected 164 geo-referenced surface soil samples (0–20 cm) from field studies in 2008 and analysed the data to determine soil variables such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (EK), and texture (clay, silt, and sand). Utilizing geographic references and determined soil variables, we established a point database in GIS to overlay and extract corresponding digital number (DN) values of Landsat-7 ETM+ bands. We studied possible relationships between the soil variables and the bands' DN values by using correlation (Pearson) analysis. We found that four soil variables including pH, OM, CaCO3, and N have significant correlations with band 5 (short wave infrared) DN values. We conducted linear regression analysis to develop models for these four variables. Residual statistics and plots showed that the developed models were robust. After running the models in GIS, we mapped pH, CaCO3, OM, and N contents of the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This research provides a comparative analysis on the correlates of school attainment between Turkish and Maltese people. In the analysis, school attainment is measured by years of education. Tobit model estimates are obtained in the analyses using Eurobarometer 2004.1 data set. The results of the model demonstrate that, the effect of marriage on school attainment found to be insignificant for Malta while it is significant for Turkey. Additionally, it can be seen that females are less educated than males and income has a positive effect on school attainment in both Turkey and Malta. By providing comparative analyses, this research attempts to give insights for policy makers and professionals to improve the Turkish education system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence procedures such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization and other procedures such as fuzzy clustering have been successfully used in the various stages of different fuzzy time-series forecasting approaches. Fuzzy clustering, genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization are generally used in the fuzzification stage, and this simplifies the applicability of this stage and makes the fuzzy time-series approach more systematic. ANNs have also been applied successfully in the fuzzy relationship determination stage. In this study, we propose a new hybrid fuzzy time-series approach in which fuzzy c-means clustering procedure is employed in the fuzzification stage and feed-forward neural networks are used in the fuzzy relationship determination stage. This study also includes an empirical analysis pertaining to the forecasting of Index 100 for the stocks and bonds exchange market of Istanbul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Television networks provide TV programs free of charge to the public. However, they acquire their revenue by telecasting advertisements in the midst of continuing programs or shows. A key problem faced by the TV networks in Turkey is how to accept and televise the advertisements reserved by a client on a specified advertisement break which we called "Advertisement Reservation Problem" (ARP). The problem is complicated by limited time inventory, by different rating points for different target groups, competition avoidance and the relationship between TV networks and clients. In this study we have developed a mathematical model for advertisement reservation problem and extended this model for some cases encountered in real business life. We have also discussed how these cases affect the decisions of a TV network. Mixed integer linear programming approach is proposed to solve these problems. This approach has been implemented to a case taken from one of the biggest TV networks of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building public Internet access points (PIAPs) is a significant contribution of governments towards achieving an information society. While many developing countries are investing great amounts to establish PIAPs today, people may not use PIAPs effectively. Yet, the successful implementation of PIAPs is the result of citizens' acceptance to use this opportunity. Hence, based on the Diffusion of Innovation Model, this study aims to detect the determinants of behavioural intention to use PIAPs. Essential data were collected from 3477 users of BELNET PIAPs established by the municipality of Istanbul in Turkey. We found that observability, compatibility and relative advantage all positively impact the intention to use PIAPs. The results reveal academic and practical implications for the future development and implementation of PIAPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative research is to examine the views of 21 secondary mathematics student teachers attending Mathematical Modelling Course regarding mathematical modelling in a state university in Turkey; reasons why they chose this course and their expectations from the course in question. For this reason, three open-ended questions were asked to the participants and they gave their answers in writing. These questions were related to their description of mathematical modelling, the reason why they chose this course and their expectations related to this course. The data obtained from responses to these questions were examined and categorized using content analysis. Data analysis showed that the participants generally defined mathematical modelling as making mathematical concepts more concrete, developing material, associating mathematics with real world and solving daily life problems. Among participants' reasons why they chose this course, it was pointed out that this course would fulfil the requirements of Secondary School Mathematics Curriculum. Participants' expectations related to this course are retention of mathematical knowledge, making mathematical concepts more concrete and more relevant to daily life; making their future students more active; contributing to their future teaching life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the interplay between the underlying dimensions of attachment and romantic jealousy within the framework of a mediational model. It was hypothesized that the dimensions of attachment would have both direct and indirect effects on romantic jealousy via dependency, self esteem, and feelings of inadequacy. Participants ( N = 306) filled out a battery of questionnaires measuring attachment, jealousy, dependency, and inadequacy. The sample was composed of college students in Turkey. The proposed mediational model was tested via structural equation modeling. Findings revealed that both model of self and model of others have direct and indirect effects (via dependency and inadequacy) on jealousy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors compare collegiate sports governance in Turkey and the United States using comparative analysis techniques. Using the U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association as a model, the authors evaluate structural and political aspects of the Turkish University Sports Federation to identify new potentialities for its growth and for the support of collegiate sports within Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During September 2008 and February 2009, the NR/V Alliance extensively sampled the waters of the Sea of Marmara within the framework of the Turkish Straits System (TSS) experiment coordinated by the NATO Undersea Research Centre. The observational effort provided an opportunity to set up realistic numerical experiments for modeling the observed variability of the Marmara Sea upper layer circulation at mesoscale resolution over the entire basin during the trial period, complementing relevant features and forcing factors revealed by numerical model results with information acquired from in situ and remote sensing datasets. Numerical model solutions from realistic runs using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) produce a general circulation in the Sea of Marmara that is consistent with previous knowledge of the circulation drawn from past hydrographic measurements, with a westward meandering current associated with a recurrent large anticyclone. Additional idealized numerical experiments illuminate the role various dynamics play in determining the Sea of Marmara circulation and pycnocline structure. Both the wind curl and the strait flows are found to strongly influence the strength and location of the main mesoscale features. Large displacements of the pycnocline depth were observed during the sea trials. These displacements can be interpreted as storm-driven upwelling/downwelling dynamics associated with northeasterly winds; however, lateral advection associated with flow from the Straits also played a role in some displacements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examines the seismic response of geotechnical structures like tunnels during the 1999 earthquake in Duzce, Turkey. For predicting the behavior of tunnels, four constitutive modelling approaches were adopted including a simple elasto-plastic constitutive model, with and without Rayleigh damping. Dynamic time domain plane-strain analyses were undertaken to investigate the ability of the models to mimic soil response under seismic excitation.

This study estimates the neutral real interest rate and output gap jointly under two different multivariate unobserved components models. In the analyses, Kalman filter is applied to a small-scale macroeconomic model of the Turkish economy to estimate the unobserved variables for the period 1989 to 2005. In addition, two alternative specifications for neutral real interest rate are exploited in the analyses. The first model uses a simple random walk model for the neutral rate, whereas the second one employs more structural specification, which specifically links the neutral rate with the trend growth rate and the long-term course of the risk premium by adapting the model proposed by Laubach and Williams (2003) to allow for small open economy consideration. Model evaluations clearly indicate the use of more structural specification against random walk specification. Results point out that the variation in the long-term course of the risk premium could be an important determinant of the neutral real interest rate in Turkey. Though there is relatively high uncertainty surrounding the neutral rate estimates to use them directly in the policy-making process, estimates appear to be very useful for ex post monetary policy evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We translated the original 17-item Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (PGCMS) into Turkish and examined its validity and reliability to determine whether it may used as a tool to measure quality of life (QOL) in a Turkish elderly sample people. Methods: The sample included 398 participants aged 65 years living in institutions. Participants who were cognitively impaired (Abbreviated Mental Test score less than 7) or who could not answer questions for other reasons were excluded. Preliminary analysis was conducted to investigate multicollinearity, univariate and multivariate outliers, normality, item difficulty and discriminatory power of individual items. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the structure of the PGCMS. By means of convergent-divergent validity, correlations between PGCMS and Turkish SF-36, correlations between PGCMS and social support scores, and correlations between PGCMS and hopelessness scores were investigated. Reliability was based on internal consistency investigated by Kuder-Richardson-20 (KD-20) and item-total correlation. Results: By means of multicollinearity, we deleted two items. Neither univariate nor multivariate outliers were found. No items showed skewness and kurtosis value greater than recommended. A model containing 15 of the PGCMS items was found to fit Turkish data perfectly. We identified three underlying factors including agitation, attitude toward own aging, and lonely dissatisfaction similar to original PGCMS's three-factor solution. There were strong correlations between PGCMS's subscales. The correlations with the physical and mental domain in SF-36, correlations between PGCMS and social support, and correlation between PGCMS and hopelessness supported construct validity. We found satisfactory evidence of internal consistency (KD-20 was 0.92 for total PGCMS and it ranged from 0.76 to 0.85 for subscales in the PGCMS) with item-total correlations ranging from 0.39 to 0.73. Conclusions: The PGCMS is a valid and reliable quality of life measure in elderly Turkish people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a bi-variate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticty model is used in order to investigate the Granger causality relationships between output growth, inflation rate and their uncertainties. Our test results show that the existence of Granger-causality is observed from nominal uncertainty to inflation, from nominal uncertainty to real uncertainty, from output growth to real uncertainty, from output growth to nominal uncertainty and from inflation to nominal uncertainty. These findings prove that theoretical predictions of Cuikerman and Meltzer (1986), Okun (1971) and Friedman (1977) are valid for the period 1986, 6 - 2007, 1 for Turkey. On the other hand, 'Short-run Phillips Curve' and 'Taylor Effect' have proven empirically to be invalid for Turkey for this sample period. Moreover, we deduce that Turkish inflation is affected by the output growth through the nominal uncertainty channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model describing the Black Sea level change in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene is offered. A theoretical curve for temporal change in the sea level is obtained. It is established that, in the range from 20 to 12 ky BP, the sea level rose to ∼20 m and fluctuated with various amplitudes and periods. In the range from 12 to 11 ky BP during the Bosphorus Strait formation, there was a sea regression by 30–50 meters, and level of the Black Sea dropped to the World Ocean level. Further, it mirrored variation of the ocean level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the validity of the assumption saying that the import and export are a function of prices as in the classical, neo-classical approaches is studied within the framework of the import and export of automobile vehicles between 1997 and 2003 in Turkey and the EU countries which are automobile manufacturers. The price here is considered as the purchasing power parity. The effect of the purchasing power parity on the automobile import and export is determined by using classical models with constant coefficients, and fixed and random effects models with constant slope coefficients and a constant term differing according to units and/or time. The models comprise balanced linear panel data models. The likelihood ratio test and F-test are used in the selection of fixed effects and classical models; and the Lagrange multiplier test is used in the selection of random effects and classical models. As for the selection of fixed and random effects models, the Hausman test is used. As a result of these tests, the fixed effects models covering both individual and time effects are selected as the most appropriate import and export models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which develops a fuzzy logic model by using the Mamdani method to estimate the monthly mean flows of poorly gauged basin. It examines the effectiveness of the model by estimating the mean flow at Solakli Basin located in the Eastern Sea Region of Turkey. It compares the result of the model with the actual measured data based on seven statistical characteristics, four different error modes and the contour map method.

The article presents a study on the estimation of the amount of suspended sediment in the Tigris River with the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) at the Diyarbakir measurement station in Turkey. The study made used of rainfall, discharge and temperature as independent variables in the models, while sediment as the dependent. There were 14 various models that were generated with the use of ANNs and Regression Analysis (RA). The results were compared with the observed data and it was concluded that ANNs give better result than RA due to their nonlinear modeling capability.

A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for Western Anatolia is presented using the Gutenberg-Richter (G-R) frequency-magnitude relation. Since the modeling is sensitive to the location of seismotectonics boundaries, to use the information content of the observed earthquake data, as a general rule the borders of the affected area are extended. In this study, the effect of the region’s definition on the G-R model is debated on the Western Anatolian region, which is one of the most seismically active and rapidly deforming regions of the world throughout the ages. Calculations are carried out for two subregions and one combined region as a whole using the seismic catalog from 1900 to 2005. The data sets are determined by the region’s borders with the parameters computed according to these data sets by the least-squares and maximum likelihood methods, and then future predictions are estimated via these parameters. Comparing the results with historical earthquake records, most appropriate regional borders for Western Anatolia are defined, and for this new region G-R model parameters are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay examines the nature of the left-right dimension in the Turkish context. Using a nationwide representative survey conducted in 2006, the author estimates an ordered logit model to analyze the determinants of self-placements on a conventional one-to-ten left-right scale. The analysis reveals first that the scale does not reflect a fine-tuned grading along the ten-point scale but rather creates ordered categories of "left," "center," and "right." Given this constraint, the issue content persistently reflects the expected impacts of issues and demographic variables upon self-placements. Lastly, the author underlines the importance of religiosity and qualifies its impact upon ideological self-placements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study specifies a basic univariate and a bivariate unobserved components model to estimate potential output using information from observable aggregates and presents results for the Turkish economy. The first specification used in the study, i.e. univariate approach, decomposes actual output into potential output that follows a random walk with a time-varying potential growth rate and a stationary output gap. The univariate specifications commonly ignore some economic content, which might be relevant for the measurement of the output gap. In this respect, the univariate model is extended by utilizing the relationship between inflation and the output gap, namely the Phillips curve. Whereas both models give similar output gap estimates, signal extraction statistics suggest that incorporating the supply side to the system reduces the parameter uncertainty and the total standard error and improves the gap estimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil resistance of upholstery fabrics after wear due to abrasion is studied. Procedures are given for determination of oil penetrability, oil absorption, and oil resistance of fabrics. The objects of study were 5 specimens of upholstery fabrics made in Turkey. The fabrics were made by a Jacquard loom and varied in warp and weft yarn density as well as in linear yarn density. The fibre composition of the fabrics varied as well. The study helped get oil resistance data for the upholstery fabrics as well as mathematical models that allow prediction of oil penetrability, oil resistance, and oil absorption of the studied fabrics as a function of abrasive wearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports upon a dynamic extension of the macro-model originally constructed as a consistency check upon the Second Five-Year Plan of Turkey. Authors of the article addresses plan formulation, a task that is comparatively free of ideological elements. Authors do not attempt a diagnosis of the existing structure of the Turkish economy, nor does they spell out the policy instruments needed in order to steer the economy along the planned future trajectories. Given the information base accumulated for the original consistency model, the dynamic extension turned out to be comparatively easy. No new data were collected and only minor modifications were made in technological norms. No more than a few man-mouths were needed in order to convert the original five-sector, inter-industry system into a model which could in turn be used to identify, areas where it would be fruitful to disaggregate further and to accumulate additional data. The ease of conversion is at least partially attributable to the formulation in terms of a "gradualist" consumption path.