Fakülteler / Faculties
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Item The Impacts of 13 Novel Mutations of SARS-Cov-2 on Protein Dynamics: in Silico Analysis From Turkey(2022) Unlu, Sezin; Uskudar-Guclu, Aylin; Cela, Isli; 37520163SARS-CoV-2 inherits a high rate of mutations making it better suited to the host since its fundamental role in evolution is to provide diversity into the genome. This research aims to identify variations in Turkish isolates and predict their impacts on proteins. To identify novel variations and predict their impacts on protein dynamics, in silico methodology was used. The 411 sequences from Turkey were analysed. Secondary structure prediction by Garnier-Osguthorpe-Robson (GOR) was used. To find the effects of identified Spike mutations on protein dynamics, the SARS-CoV-2 structures (PDB:6VYB, 6M0J) were uploaded and predicted by Cutoff Scanning Matrix (mCSM), DynaMut and MutaBind2. To understand the effects of these mutations on Spike protein molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed. Turkish sequences were aligned with sequences worldwide by MUSCLE, and phylogenetic analysis was performed via MegaX. The 13 novel mutations were identified, and six of them belong to spike glycoprotein. Ten of these variations revealed alteration in the secondary structure of the protein. Differences of free energy between the reference sequence and six mutants were found below zero for each of six isolates, demonstrating these variations have stabilizing effects on protein structure. Differences in vibrational entropy calculation revealed that three variants have rigidification, while the other three have a flexibility effect. MD simulation revealed that point mutations in spike glycoprotein and RBD:ACE-2 complex cause changes in protein dynamics compared to the wild-type, suggesting possible alterations in binding affinity. The phylogenetic analysis showed Turkish sequences distributed throughout the tree, revealing multiple entrances to Turkey.Item Navigating the Covid-19 Turbulence in Higher Education: Evidence from Turkish Faculty Members(2022) Orucu, Deniz; Kutlugun, H. ElifCovid 19 was the first pandemic of the modern era to strike with such virulence. We sought to understand this recent phenomenon and contribute to the empirical findings on the expectations from HEI leadership and management in Turkey. Drawing on the Turbulence Theory, we explored how the academic staff experienced the initial phase of the pandemic in Turkey and how they perceived the HE leaders' navigation of the crisis at the selected universities. Within qualitative phenomonology, data from semi-structured interviews with a convenient sample of 10 academic staff in five public and five private universities in Turkey, was analysed through content analysis. Findings highlighted the opportunities and challenges of the pandemic for the faculty at personal and organizational level in an intersectional pattern. Moreover, the ways HEI leaders navigated the crisis created binaries in the form of experience vs. inexperience and trust vs. distrust. The challenges derived from the rapid but ineffective decision-making processes and the heightened surveillance mechanisms over the academic staff; which in some cases resulted in lack of trust. Hence, the turbulence level was shaped by how the universities and their leaders addressed it. In such cases, practices of building trustworthy connections, more distributive forms of leadership and robust communication; which would help the leaders to navigate the turbulence at times of crises are significant. Further recommendations are provided for research, policy and practice.Item Academic Trends in European Union Studies in Turkey within the Framework of Turkey-EU Relations(2022) Mercan, S. Sezgin; Bilgin, Kivilcim Romya; Karadag, Haluk; Ongun, YeldaThe relationship between academics and policymakers has a complex and multi-layered structure, and there are different views on how this relationship should be. While discussing the political processes in the context of Turkey's membership, the interactions between academics and policymakers in the relations between Turkey and the EU have the potential to provide solutions in the steps that need to be taken. However, the academic tendency of EU studies in Turkey will be revealed by answering questions such as what subjects are preferred by academics working on the EU in Turkey to study in the knowledge-production process, which subjects they prioritize in EU studies, what the effects of the ups and downs in Turkey-EU relations are on the academy, and how the academy positions itself in the field of EU studies. It is considered that such a study will contribute to further studies on how the academy's relations with policymakers are and how they should be in studying Turkey-EU relations.Item Protective Motivators and Precautionary Behaviors Against COVID-19 in Turkey(2023) Turen, Ufuk; Gokmen, Yunus; Erdem, Haluk; Kalkin, Gokdeniz; 35394534In this research, we investigated the protection motivators and precautionary behaviors against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associations between them. To do this, we developed two original scales, collected data (2783 responses) using an online survey, after removing the responses (319), which were filled in incompletely or incorrectly in the questionnaire, we obtained 2464 participants covering the aged 18+ population in Turkey. Based on random sampling, our sample complies with these ratios and generally reflects the aged 18+ population of Turkey. We confirmed the psychometrical validity and reliability of our two scales using the collected data. Herewith, we found that perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 infection is very high, perceived severity of COVID-19 is medium, COVID-19 related information seeking is high, beliefs on precautions' efficacy is high and also the practice of precautionary behaviors is high. Our research depicts that all protection motivators significantly are related with the practice of precautionary behaviors (routine and leisure). However, with the only exception of perceived severity of COVID-19 is not related with precautionary behaviors (routine). Besides, we saw that females' average in all variables is significantly higher than males and some variables are sensitive to age, education level, marital status and the number of children. We believe that the findings provide essential inputs for authorities in establishing public health policies against the present pandemic and likely ones in the future.Item The Privacy Consciousness of Undergraduate Students: Comparison Between Turkey and Japan(2022) Ozturk, Deniz; Eyuboglu, Gulcan; Baykara, Zehra Gocmen; Tabata, Naoya; Sato, Hirotsune; 36106807AIM: This study was designed to compare the privacy consciousness of undergraduate students in Turkey and Japan.METHOD: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out. First-year undergraduate students at a university in Turkey (n = 235) and a university in Japan (n = 242) voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected via a web-based structured questionnaire, using the Descriptive Characteristics Form and the Privacy Consciousness Scale, between November and December 2020. Written approval was obtained from the universities and the ethics board. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. RESULTS: The privacy consciousness of the Turkish students was significantly higher than that of the Japanese students (p < .05).CONCLUSION: Privacy consciousness can be affected by individual, social, and cultural value differences, beliefs, and perceptions. It is suggested that similar studies be conducted with a greater number of samples and between different countries.Item Economic Burden of Severe Asthma in Turkey: A Cost of Illness Study from Payer Perspective(2021) Bavbek, S.; Malhan, S.; Mungan, D.; Misirligil, Z.; Erdinc, M.; Gemicioglu, B.; Oguzulgen, I. Kivilcim; Oksuz, E.; Yildiz, F.; Yorgancioglu, A.; 0000-0002-5723-5965; 32372589; K-8238-2012Objective. To estimate economic burden of severe asthma in Turkey from payer perspective based on expert panel opinion on practice patterns in clinical practice. Methods. This cost of illness study was based on identification of per patient annual direct medical costs for the management of severe asthma in Take, from payer perspective. Average per patient direct medical cost was calculated based on cost items related to outpatient visits laboratory and radiological tests, hospitalizations and interventions drug treatment and equipment, and co-morbidities/complications. Results. Based on total annual per patient costs calculated for outpatient admission ($177.91), laboratory and radiological tests ($ 8232), hospitalization/interventions ($1,154.55), drug treatment/equipment ($2,289.63) and co-morbidities ($ 661.39) cost items, total per patient annual direct medical cost related to management of severe asthma was calculated to be $ 4,369.76 from payer perspective. Drug treatment/equipment (524%) was the main cost driver in the management of severe asthma in Turkey, as followed by hospitalizations/interventions (264%) and co-morbidities (15.2%). Conclusions. In conclusion, our findings indicate that managing patients with severe asthma pose a considerable burden to health economics in Turkey with medications as the main cost driver.Item Unsustainable harvest of water frogs in southern Turkey for the European market(2021) Cicek, Kerim; Ayaz, Dincer; Afsar, Murat; Bayrakci, Yusuf; Peksen, Cigdem Akin; Cumhuriyet, Oguzkan; Ismail, Ilhan Bayram; Yenmis, Melodi; Ustundag, Erdal; Tok, Cemal Varol; Bilgin, C. Can; Akcakaya, H. Resit; ABC-7273-2020Frogs have been harvested from the wild for the last 40 years in Turkey. We analysed the population dynamics of Anatolian water frogs (Pelophylax spp.) in the Seyhan and Ceyhan Deltas during 2013-2015. We marked a total of 13,811 individuals during 3 years, estimated population sizes, simulated the dynamics of a harvested population over 50 years, and collated frog harvest and export statistics from the region and for Turkey as a whole. Our capture estimates indicated a population reduction of c. 20% per year, and our population modelling showed that, if overharvesting continues at current rates, the harvested populations will decline rapidly. Simulations with a model of harvested population dynamics resulted in a risk of extinction of > 90% within 50 years, with extinction likely in c. 2032. Our interviews with harvesters revealed their economic dependence on the frog harvest. However, our results also showed that reducing harvest rates would not only ensure the viability of these frog populations but would also provide a source of income that is sustainable in the long term. Our study provides insights into the position of Turkey in the 'extinction domino' line, in which harvest pressure shifts among countries as frog populations are depleted and harvest bans are effected. We recommend that harvesting of wild frogs should be banned during the mating season, hunting and exporting of frogs < 30 g should be banned, and harvesters should be trained on species knowledge and awareness of regulations.Item A test of theory of planned behavior in type II diabetes adherence: The leading role of perceived behavioral control(2021) Dilekler, Ilknur; Dogulu, Canay; Bozo, Ozlem; 0000-0002-5906-3706; C-8140-2014Diabetes mellitus is a health complication that millions of people suffer from all over the world. Type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes requires many changes in the daily lives of patients, including monitoring blood glucose, following a healthy diet, exercising, and taking medications. Although it is vital for their health, patients generally find it difficult to adhere to their medical regimen. In order to better understand the adherence behaviors of type II diabetes patients, the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used as the theoretical framework for this study. Ninety type II diabetes patients, who were outpatients of four different hospitals in Ankara, Turkey were administered the TPB tool. The mediation analyses provided support for the mediating role of intention for the attitudes-behavior and subjective norms-behavior relations. The findings did not reveal a mediating role of intention for the PBC-behavior relation but a significant direct effect of PBC on adherence behavior was found. Overall, it seems important that PBC and the multi-faceted nature of adherence behaviors are considered when designing interventions for type II diabetes patients.Item Welcoming immigrants in Istanbul: Gendering faith-based and professionalised hospitality(2021) Senses, Nazli; Farahani, FatanehThis article examines the hospitality practices of pro-migrant civil society organisations in Istanbul. Drawing from qualitative interviews, we focus on intersecting gendered, professionalised and faith-based aspects of pro-migrant activities and explore the ways that politically and morally charged ambivalences of hospitality practices are articulated and negotiated. Moreover, by contextualising Turkey's religious and geopolitical particularity as a gatekeeper of Europe, we work with Derrida's concept of plural laws to investigate hospitality practices towards refugees in Istanbul. Civil actors' intentions and attempts to be good citizens, Muslims, and care providers expose the intimate aspects of hospitality - a segue into discourses of displaced subjects' (gendered) deservingness. By portraying how macro-micro, global-local and public-private relations condition hospitality practices, we observe how globalisation is lived intimately, influencing perceptions of deservingness and the prioritisation of displaced subjects' needs.Item Does quality matter in determining child care prices? Evidence from private child care provision in Turkey(2021) Pekkurnaz, Didem; Aran, Meltem A.; Aktakke, NazliChild care prices are expected to reflect the quality of provision. However, in contexts where there are high information asymmetries between the users of the services and providers, we may expect this link between quality and prices to be weaker. Turkey is selected for the study as it has a highly regulated child care sector where the costs of accreditation and initial setup are high. However, there is very little on-going supervision and no information provided to users on the quality or ranking of these services. This paper investigates the role of quality in determining private child care prices using a unique provider-level data set collected in five provinces of Turkey. Regression results show that prices are mainly driven by infrastructure quality while human resources and curriculum and materials quality scores that are more likely to have a strong bearing on child development do not have a significant impact on prices.
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