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Article Robust Divergence-Based Tests of Hypotheses for Simple Step-Stress Accelerated Life-Testing Under Gamma Lifetime Distributions(Elsevier, 2026) Balakrishnan, Narayanaswamy; Jaenada, Maria; Pardo, LeandroMany modern devices are highly reliable, with long lifetimes before their failure. Conducting reliability tests under actual use conditions may require therefore impractically long experimental times to gather sufficient data for developing accurate inference. To address this, Accelerated Life Tests (ALTs) are often used in industrial experiments to induce product degradation and eventual failure more quickly by increasing certain environmental stress factors. Data collected under such increased stress conditions are analyzed, and results are then extrapolated to normal operating conditions. These tests typically involve a small number of devices and so pose significant challenges, such as interval-censoring. As a result, the outcomes are particularly sensitive to outliers in the data. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis requires more than just point estimation; inferential methods such as confidence intervals and hypothesis testing are essential to fully assess the reliability behaviour of the product. This paper presents robust statistical methods based on minimum divergence estimators for analyzing ALT data of highly reliable devices under step-stress conditions and Gamma lifetime distributions. Robust test statistics generalizing the Rao test and divergence-based tests for testing linear null hypothesis are then developed. These hypotheses include in particular tests for the significance of the identified stress factors and for the validity of the assumption of exponential lifetimes.Article Multifunctional POSS-Based Nanoparticles Functionalized with Silver, SPIONs, and Rhamnolipid for Antibacterial Applications(Elsevier Ltd, 2026) Kibar, G.; Kafali, M.; Ozonuk, O.C.; Öztaş, M.; Usta, B.; Ercan, B.Nano-engineered materials, particularly those featuring bio-based surface modifications, are emerging as effective tools in combating bacterial infections. In this study, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles were functionalized with silver nanoparticles (Ag), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), and the biosurfactant rhamnolipid (RL)—either individually or in combination—to evaluate their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa ). The modified nanoparticles exhibited sizes ranging from 127 to 227 nm and demonstrated superparamagnetic behavior, offering potential for magnetic targeting. Among the various formulations, the RL-coated, silver- and SPION-decorated POSS nanoparticles (RSMP) exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy, reducing S. aureus and P. aeruginosa colony growth by approximately 90 % and 66 %, respectively, at a concentration of 0.01 g/L. RSMP nanoparticles also showed strong biofilm inhibition and had the lowest MIC₅₀ values. Notably, these nanoparticles supported the proliferation of human osteoblasts at concentrations up to 0.05 g/L, indicating favorable cytocompatibility. Overall, RSMP nanoparticles present a promising platform for magnetically targetable antibacterial agents, with potential applications in biomedical fields, particularly for managing orthopedic infections. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.Article Citation - WoS: 13Citation - Scopus: 13Supply chain resilience in the tourism and hospitality industry: A comprehensive examination of driving and restraining forces(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2024) Erol, Ismail; Oztel, Ahmet; Dogru, Tarik; Peker, Iskender; Neuhofer, Irem Onder; Benli, TolgaSupply chain disruptions and a lack of resilient supply chains have adverse impact on the global economy. Particularly, complex nature of the tourism and hospitality industry makes it even more susceptible to failure when supply chain resiliency is rather low or does not exist. However, despite its significance, a comprehensive and systematic examination of building resilience in tourism and hospitality supply chains (THSCs) is lacking in the extant literature. The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive framework that outlines the driving and restraining forces for building resilient THSCs. The decision framework proposed in this study integrates rough interval valued neutrosophic (RIVN) force field theory of change with RIVN-ISM-MICMAC methodology. The results showed that the restraining forces, such as lack of effective regulations and incentives and effective organizational and supply chain policies are the primary factors that constrain improving resilience in THSCs. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Article Classification of Resilience of Turkish Health System to Extraordinary Health Crises at Provincial Level(2025) Bulut, TevfikThis study aimed to classify the provincial-level resilience of the Turkish health system using K-Means and Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) clustering methods, utilizing data from the Ministry of Health's 2022 Health Statistics Yearbook. Prior to clustering analysis, the 15 variables used to assess health system resilience were reduced to 9 through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Clustering analyses were subsequently performed on these remaining variables using the PAM and K-Means methods. The health systems of 81 provinces were classified into 3 distinct clusters based on their resilience. The PAM method was found to yield more optimal results compared to the K-Means method. According to the PAM method, provinces assigned to Cluster 3 demonstrated superior health system resilience compared to those in the other clusters. Based on the average values of the variables, the clusters were ranked in descending order of resilience: Cluster 3, Cluster 2, and Cluster 1. Significant disparities were observed both between and within clusters, primarily attributed to the uneven distribution of resources relative to population. Therefore, it is recommended that health system capacity be strengthened, using the highest-performing cluster as a benchmark. This approach can facilitate the construction of a more resilient and equitable provincial health system regarding service delivery supply, ultimately contributing to the establishment of a stronger national health system built upon strengthened provincial foundations.Article The Relationship Between Operational Efficiency and Financial Efficiency in the Shipping Industry: An Example From Privatized Ports in Türkiye(EDP Sciences S A, 2025) Kaya, Ebru Nur; Mete, Mevlut Hurol; Belgin, OnderSince the ports are the backbone of international trade they need to be managed efficiently. This study addresses to analyze the operational and financial efficiency of the selected privatized ports that have been belonged to TCDD (Republic of T & uuml;rkiye State Railways). For this purpose, EATWOS (Efficiency Analysis Technique with Output Satisfying) method is employed, and the weights of the inputs and outputs are determined using LOPCOW (Logarithmic Percentage Change-Driven Objective Weighting), MEREC (Method Based on the Removal Effects of Criteria), and CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) methods. After obtaining the weights from these objective methods, the comprehensive weights are calculated using TPOP (Technique of Precise Order Preference) method. Finally, Spearman's rank-order correlation shows that there is no relationship between the operational and financial efficiency of the ports. The number of studies that address both operational and financial efficiency of ports is limited, and this study distinguishes itself by investigating the relationship between both efficiency types.Conference Object HOW TO WRITE POETICALLY(Iated-int Assoc Technology Education A& development, 2012) Tekin, Kugu; Selimoglu, Zeynep RanaThe importance of the role of writing in second language acquisition is indisputable. Compared to other skills, such as reading, listening and speaking, writing has a unique place, for it is a creative and productive stage of second language learning. It has been observed that almost every student has difficulty in writing. Students struggle to write even a solitary sentence let alone a well organized, coherent and accurate essay, which is a prerequisite for English Preparatory School students and for freshman students of English Language and Literature departments. The aim of this paper is to show how supposedly "boring" writing courses can be made attractive, enjoyable and at the same time productive to students. To this end, we provide our students with an atmosphere wherein creativity, enjoyment and above all, learning can take place. Our chosen medium in the construction of such a learning environment is poetry. The paper consists of two sections: the first is the theory section, which is about the function of literature. This section also includes a number of poetry definitions and the advantages of using poetry in writing courses. The second section focuses on practical activities to demonstrate how poetry can be applied to improve students' writing skills. The second section proceeds in three subsections entitled "pre-writing", "writing" and "post-writing". The overall aim of these activities is to integrate the two receptive language skills, reading and listening, and the two productive skills, writing and speaking. In conclusion, this paper is an attempt to turn a negatively perceived writing class into a student-friendly activity.Book Part The Dark Side of Proactive Behaviors and Blind Spot Management(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Uwizeye, J.; Tuzlukaya, S.E.; Asbas, C.Proactive behavior, which should be anticipatory and agentic, can be defined as actions focused on certain behaviors aimed at improving job performance, career success, and employee well-being. Even if organizational citizenship behaviors have been frequently characterized as proactive behaviors, this is not true under every condition, as they may be either reactive or passive. Although proactive behavior among employees has been widely studied because of the importance that organizations place on improving performance and effectiveness, the potential and possible negative outcomes of such behavior have often been ignored. Examining and discovering the potential negative implications of proactive behaviors and formulating strategies to manage blind spots are vital for developing a general understanding of proactive behaviors for both employees and firms. The intention of this study is to conduct a literature review on proactive behaviors by focusing on the dark side and blind spots of proactive behaviors. This chapter also explains various forms of proactive behaviors and theories that can effectively describe the negative outcomes of such behaviors and discusses the detrimental effects of proactive behaviors on both employees and organizations. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.Article Türkiye’de Göçmen/Mülteci Topluluklarında Çocuk Dil Aracılığı(2024) Özer, Özge BayraktarYerleşilen ülkenin dilini ve sosyokültürel normlarını en hızlı özümseyen aile üyeleri olarak çocuklar, göçten sonra kısa sürede aileleri için farklı ortamlarda sözlü çeviri faaliyetlerini yürütmektedir. Bu açıdan, daha geniş bir ifadeyle çocuk dil aracıları olarak tanımlanan çocuk çevirmenler hem dilsel iletişimin sağlanmasında hem de göçmen/mülteci toplulukları ile ev sahibi toplum arasında etkileşim sağlan- masında rol oynarlar. Genellikle göçmen/mülteci topluluklar bağlamında incele- nen bir olgu olarak çocuk dil aracılığı (ÇDA) profesyonel olmayan bir toplum çevirmenliği pratiği olarak tanımlanabilir. Buna rağmen, Türkiye’de çeviribilim alanında bir araştırma konusu olarak henüz ele alınmamıştır. Her ne kadar ulus- lararası alanyazında eğitimbilim ve gelişimsel psikoloji perspektiflerinden uzun yıl- lardır incelenmiş olsa da, çocuk dil aracılığı her şeyden önce bir çeviri faaliyetidir ve çeviribilimcilerin yaklaşımlarını beklemektedir. Temelde bu eksikliği gidermeyi hedefleyen bu çalışmanın amacı yoğun göç alan ülkelerde uzun yıllardır farklı disi- plinler tarafından ele alınan çocuk dil aracılığı olgusunu Türkiye’de göçmen/mülteci topluluklar bağlamında incelemektedir. Bu doğrultuda, Türkiye’ye farklı ülkeler- den göç etmiş, aileleri için çocukluğunda dil aracılığı faaliyetinde bulunmuş, 18-21 yaş aralığındaki altı katılımcı ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Tem- atik analiz yöntemiyle incelenen görüşme verileri, Türkiye’de çocuk dil aracılığına en çok ihtiyaç duyulan çeviri ortamları, asıl dil aracılığı kavramı, dil aracılığının katkıları, çocuk dil aracılarının aracılık faaliyetine ilişkin duyguları ve üstlendikleri sorumluluk konularına ışık tutmaktadır.Book Part Turkish-American Relations From the End of the Second World War to the Arms Embargo, 1945–1970(Bloomsbury Publishing Plc., 2022) Koç, Z.E.Article Mapping the Literature on Thermal Tourism: A Bibliometric and Content Analysis(Conscientia Beam, 2025) Alqaifi, Faten; Tengilimoglu, Dilaver; Aras, Ilknur ArslanThis study explores and maps the existing literature on thermal tourism to provide comprehensive insights and inform future research directions. The research design is based on a bibliometric analysis of 48 documents published between 2013 and 2023 and indexed in the Web of Science database. Data were processed and visualized using Microsoft Excel and Bibliometrix, followed by a content analysis of 42 English-language articles to capture thematic developments in the field. The findings indicate that, despite a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, publications on thermal tourism have shown strong growth and recovery, with an annual growth rate of 46.65%. The most significant contributions originated from Portugal, China, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, and Japan, with research disseminated across 37 journals. Four central themes were identified: (1) tourist behaviors and satisfaction, (2) demand and motivations, (3) quality and resource management, and (4) strategic and sustainable development. Among these, tourist behaviors and satisfaction emerged as the most prominent research area, representing 38.10% of the analyzed literature. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by mapping the knowledge landscape in the relatively underexplored field of thermal tourism, highlighting its growth potential and proposing a future research agenda. The practical implications suggest that recognizing these trends and themes can help policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academics develop strategies to enhance sustainable practices and expand opportunities in thermal tourism.
