Bitlis Eren University

This study comparatively examines the transnational voting behaviour of Turkish immigrants living abroad, focusing on case studies from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Based on qualitative data collected through 57 in-depth interviews, this analysis examines the Turkish immigrants’ external voting practices through the lenses of rational choice, party identification, and sociological approaches. The findings show that the voting practices of immigrants in the Netherlands are shaped primarily by two factors: (1) a socialization process centred around religious affiliations, and (2) support for a leader whose leadership is perceived as pivotal to enhancing Turkey’s international standing and, by extension, their own status in the Netherlands. In contrast, immigrants in the United Kingdom are more politically identity-oriented. Their voting choices are rooted in Kurdish-Alevi identity and are predominantly shaped by a defensive response to the current government. These dynamics give rise to distinct ideological tendencies: nationalist/conservative orientations in the Netherlands and leftist/democratic orientations in the United Kingdom. Overall, the findings reveal that voters often do not prioritize their individual interests; rather, collective identity and a sense of belonging play a decisive role in shaping their electoral preferences.

In this study, we employed the advanced reactive force field (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the adsorption mechanisms of acetone, ethanol, methanol and propanol molecules on newly-designed tubular helix nanostructure doped by sulfur substituting carbon atoms. The adsorption processes of four different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on tubular helix nanostructure are simulated at temperature of 300 K, containing fixed 100 adsorbate molecules. The adsorption energy of acetone is calculated as -4.4 eV which is higher than that of other molecules and it exhibits very strong adsorption of acetone on active sites of tubular helix nanostructure attracting this molecule. Moreover, some MD structural analysis methods, such as partial correlation function (PCF) and diffusion coefficients from mean square displacement (MSD) reveal that O atom in acetone molecule strongly interactions with C and S atoms on tubular helix nanostructure in short distance of 1.17 Å. Addition, the diffusion coefficient of acetone molecule into tubular helix nanostructure is more than that of other molecules indicating faster and easier movement in helical environment. Finally, molecular entrapment capability of tubular helix nanostructure and the surrounding level of acetone molecules the tubular helix nanostructure were revealed by computational method. The computational results help understand the great potential of gas sensor device of newly-designed tubular helix nanostructure in the context of pioneer experimental studies.

Bilacunaria microcarpa, a traditionally consumed yet underexplored species of the Apiaceae family, was evaluated for its neuroprotective potential in an in vitro Parkinson's disease model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺). Differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells were co-treated with MPP⁺ and aqueous extracts derived from the plant's flowers, stems, and leaves. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while nuclear morphology was examined via Hoechst 33258 staining. Enzymatic activities of AChE and caspase-3 were analyzed to investigate cholinergic and apoptotic responses, respectively. The antioxidant and oxidant status of the samples was determined by measuring the total antioxidant status and total oxidant levels. Chemical profiling analysis by HPLC-DAD identified chlorogenic acid as the predominant compound across all plant parts. The extracts demonstrated substantial enhancement in cell viability and were non-cytotoxic in fibroblast cultures. Moreover, all sample extracts caused a statistically significant reduction in caspase - 3 activity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in silico blood-brain barrier permeability predictions indicated that some phytochemicals present in the extracts, such as resveratrol, o-coumaric acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, and vanillin, have the potential to permeate the blood-brain barrier. These outcomes indicate that Bilacunaria microcarpa exhibits considerable potential as a neuroprotective agent, warranting further exploration as a candidate for the development of therapeutic interventions for Parkinson's disease.

Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, teknostres, verimlilik ve iş doyumu faktörleri arasındaki ilişki düzeylerini incelemektir. Cinsiyet, yaş ve eğitim düzeyi gibi değişkenlerin söz konusu faktörler üzerinde etkili olup olmadığının araştırılması da çalışma kapsamında değerlendirilmek istenen diğer bir amaçtır. Bu çerçevede, Adıyaman Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Müşavirler Odası’na kayıtlı 172 meslek mensubu ile yüz yüze görüşülerek veriler elde edilmiştir. Bu verilerin değerlendirilme sürecinde doğrulayıcı faktör analizi, korelasyon analizi, t testi, one way anova ve post hoc testi kullanılmıştır. Analizler sonucunda teknostresin tekno iş yükü boyutu ile teknolojik verimlilik arasında pozitif orta düzeyli bir ilişki, tekno karmaşıklık boyutu ile teknolojinin verimliliği arasında pozitif zayıf bir ilişki ve tekno belirsizlik boyutu ile verimlilik arasında pozitif güçlü düzeyde bir ilişki ile karşılaşılmıştır. Tekno iş yükü ve tekno belirsizlik boyutlarının iş doyumu ile zayıf pozitif bir ilişki varlığına sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. İlişkisel açıdan teknolojinin verimliliği ile iş doyumu arasında ise pozitif orta düzeyli bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, cinsiyet değişkeninin tekno iş yükü ve iş doyumu üzerinde belirleyici olduğu, yaşın tekno karmaşıklık boyutu üzerinde bir işleve sahip olduğu ve eğitim düzeyinin ise teknostres’in tüm boyutları, teknolojik verimlilik ve iş doyumu üzerinde anlamlı bir role sahip olmadığı bulgulanmıştır.

This paper presents a novel hybrid metaheuristic optimization algorithm, termed Lévy-opposition-enhanced Newton-Raphson-based optimization (NRBO-LO), and its application to the design of a high-gain ultra-wideband (UWB) antipodal Vivaldi antenna. The proposed algorithm enhances the conventional Newton-Raphson-based optimizer by integrating random opposition learning to improve population diversity and Lévy flight-based guided learning to strengthen exploitation, thereby mitigating premature convergence. The effectiveness of NRBO-LO is first rigorously evaluated using a comprehensive set of unimodal, multimodal, and composite benchmark functions, where it demonstrates superior convergence accuracy, robustness, and stability compared to several well-established metaheuristic algorithms. Following algorithmic validation, NRBO-LO is employed within a MATLAB-CST co-simulation framework to optimize the geometrical parameters of split-ring resonator (SRR) slots embedded on both the radiating surface and ground plane of a compact antipodal Vivaldi antenna fabricated on a low-cost FR-4 substrate. The optimized antenna occupies an area of 40 × 40mm2 and achieves a continuous impedance bandwidth covering the entire 3.1-10.6GHz UWB range by reducing the lower cutoff frequency from 4.8GHz to approximately 3GHz. A maximum realized gain of 9.2dB is obtained, representing a significant improvement over the reference design. Comprehensive electromagnetic analyses are performed to assess antenna performance in both the frequency and time domains. The proposed design exhibits directive radiation characteristics, an average radiation efficiency of approximately 75% with a peak efficiency of 91%, stable group delay, and high fidelity factors across multiple antenna orientations, indicating minimal signal distortion. The results confirm that the combined use of the NRBO-LO algorithm and metamaterial-inspired SRR slots provides an effective and practical approach for the optimization of compact, high-performance UWB Vivaldi antennas suitable for radar, microwave imaging, and wireless communication applications.

This article focuses on how trade corridors serve not only as economic instruments, but also as strategic diplomacy tools, allowing Kazakhstan to manage its complex relations with the People’s Republic of China (China), the Russian Federation (Russia), and Western powers. Despite its reliance on its larger neighbors, Kazakhstan aims to maintain its sovereignty while diversifying its economic and political ties. Kazakhstan is fostering relations with China, Russia, the United States (US), the European Union (EU), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to advance its economic and commercial interests, while simultaneously seeking partnerships and cooperation that address security concerns and balance regional and global powers. The paper employs a descriptive case study method to examine the adaptation of the hedging strategy to Kazakhstan. In this context, Kazakhstan’s strategy to managing risks and opportunities is examined in light of the connection of trade corridors and foreign policy. The study concluded that Kazakhstan’s efforts to reduce geopolitical risks, maintain balance among major powers, and strengthen regional stability have significantly strengthened its hedging strategy through economic corridors. Furthermore, it has been observed that Kazakhstan has increased its strategic autonomy by expanding its maneuvering space within the multi-actor international system.

This study introduces a novel four-parameter lifetime distribution constructed within the Topp–Leone Power Gompertz framework. Owing to its flexible structure, the proposed model accommodates a wide range of density shapes and hazard-rate patterns, including increasing, decreasing, bathtub-shaped, unimodal, and other non-monotone behaviors. Key distributional properties, including moments, entropy-based measures, quantile-based measures, and order statistics, are derived. Parameter inference is conducted using both likelihood-based and Bayesian approaches, and the finite-sample performance of the resulting estimators is assessed via Monte Carlo simulations. The practical relevance of the proposed distribution is illustrated using two real datasets and benchmarked against several competing lifetime models, including the Gompertz, Power Gompertz, Weibull, Topp–Leone Gompertz, Marshall–Olkin Gompertz, and Exponentiated Gompertz distributions. Overall, the comparative analyses demonstrate the superior fitting performance of the proposed model, highlighting its effectiveness for complex reliability, survival, and pharmacokinetic data.

Progressive collapse is a critical structural phenomenon where local damage triggers a chain reaction and potentially leads to disproportionate failure of the entire system. In this study, the progressive collapse behavior of multi-story reinforced concrete (RC) structures is investigated using numerical analysis methods. This situation poses a serious danger, especially for high-risk types of structures. In the study, the effect on the collapse tendency is evaluated by considering different structural models. Numerical analyses are performed using a nonlinear finite element method. This study offers a general exploration of the progressive collapse behavior of multi-story RC frames, focusing on robustness evaluation under various structural scenarios. The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of structural responses and to support the development of safer, more durable design strategies.

Bu çalışma, yaşlı bireylerin ekonomik düzeylerinin sosyal dışlanma ve yaşam memnuniyeti üzerindeki etkisini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, Türkiye’nin yedi coğrafi bölgesinde, Türkiye İstatistiki Bölge Birimleri Sınıflandırması (İBBS) düzeyinde yürütülmüş ve yüz yüze anket yöntemiyle veri toplanmıştır. Veriler, SPSS 20.0 programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmada, Sosyal Dışlanma Ölçeği (SDÖ) toplam puan ortalaması 59.48±14.74, Yaşam Memnuniyeti Ölçeği (YMÖ) puan ortalaması ise 21.17±6.03 olarak belirlenmiştir. SDÖ’nün alt boyutlarında; maddi yoksunluk ortalaması 27.42±8.17, enformel sosyal destek yoksunluğu 11.48±4.15, ulaşım ve finansal hizmetlere erişim 11.64±4.11, çevresel dışlanma ise 8.94±3.23 ortalamaya sahiptir. Bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve tek yönlü ANOVA sonuçlarına göre, gelir düzeyine göre sosyal dışlanma ve yaşam memnuniyetinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır (p&amp;gt;0.05). Pearson korelasyon ve lineer regresyon analizleri de bu bulguları desteklemektedir. Bu sonuçlar, yaşlı bireylerin sosyal dışlanma ve yaşam memnuniyetinin sadece ekonomik değişkenlerle açıklanamayacağını ortaya koymaktadır. Dolayısıyla, yaşlılara yönelik sosyal politikaların kültürel, sosyal ve yapısal boyutları içeren çok yönlü bir yaklaşımla geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu bağlamda, yerel yönetimler bünyesinde yaşlı sosyal etkinlik merkezlerinin kurulması, yaşlı bireylerin aktif yaşlanmasını destekleyecek, sosyalleşme imkânlarını artıracak ve sosyal dışlanmayı azaltacaktır. Benzer şekilde, ev içi bakım destek programlarının yaygınlaştırılması hem fiziksel hem de ekonomik açıdan dezavantajlı konumda bulunan yaşlı bireyler için büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu tür politikalar, yaşlıların yaşam kalitesini artırmak ve sosyal dışlanmayı önlemek açısından kritik öneme sahiptir.