The impact of deep learning on document classification using semantically rich representations

This paper presents a semantically rich document representation model for automatically classifying financial documents into predefined categories utilizing deep learning. The model architecture consists of two main modules including document representation and document classification. In the first module, a document is enriched with semantics using background knowledge provided by an ontology and through the acquisition of its relevant terminology. Acquisition of terminology integrated to the ontology extends the capabilities of semantically rich document representations with an in depth-coverage of concepts, thereby capturing the whole conceptualization involved in documents. Semantically rich representations obtained from the first module will serve as input to the document classification module which aims at finding the most appropriate category for that document through deep learning. Three different deep learning networks each belonging to a different category of machine learning techniques for ontological document classification using a real-life ontology are used.Multiple simulations are carried out with various deep neural networks configurations, and our findings reveal that a three hidden layer feedforward network with 1024 neurons obtain the highest document classification performance on the INFUSE dataset. The performance in terms of F1 score is further increased by almost five percentage points to 78.10% for the same network configuration when the relevant terminology integrated to the ontology is applied to enrich document representation. Furthermore, we conducted a comparative performance evaluation using various state-of-the-art document representation approaches and classification techniques including shallow and conventional machine learning classifiers.     

Technology utilisation in elementary schools in Turkey’s capital: a case study

A case study was conducted to explore teachers’ current technology use in elementary schools in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The data were collected through a survey, and participants included 1030 classroom teachers across eight districts. The present study results revealed that significant challenges remain with regard to technology use in the classroom, even in the capital of Turkey, where teachers have advantages in terms of technology access and use compared to rural areas. The participant teachers used technologies most frequently for lesson preparation activities, rather than for delivering instruction. Although the teachers felt that school principals and colleagues were usually supportive of technology use in lessons, they complained about insufficient professional development activities and incentives. Representing a snapshot of teachers’ technology use in elementary school settings, this study sheds light on essential factors that should be considered in any technology integration process in schools. The study findings offer valuable insight for policy-makers and school leaders on how to support the technology integration process and allocate money for technology initiatives.     

On numerical solutions for hyperbolic–parabolic equations with the multipoint nonlocal boundary condition

A numerical method is proposed for solving multi-dimensional hyperbolic–parabolic differential equations with the nonlocal boundary condition in t and Dirichlet and Neumann conditions in space variables. The first and second order of accuracy difference schemes are presented. The stability estimates for the solution and its first and second orders difference derivatives are established. A procedure of modified Gauss elimination method is used for solving these difference schemes in the case of a one-dimensional hyperbolic–parabolic differential equations with variable coefficients in x and two-dimensional hyperbolic–parabolic equation.     

Factors influencing information security management in small- and medium-sized enterprises: A case study from Turkey

The aims of the study were to examine enterprise information security in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bursa, Turkey and to compare the results with similar data gathered from different countries. This study was conducted through questionnaires consisting of 49 questions grouped into 9 sections. The questionnaires were delivered to 97 SMEs in Bursa, Turkey. The companies have been operating for 15.93 ± 11.67 (2-54) years. The number of PCs in the companies and their years of use were in the ranges of 53.51 ± 64.88 (2-240) and 12.47 ± 6.32 (1-30) years, respectively. According to the findings of this study, it can be speculated that when Communications and Operations Management and security policy improve, other security parameters in the companies, such as Organizational, Personnel and Physical and Environmental Securities improve as well. In addition, the results have shown that Turkish companies do not attach as much importance to information technology security as their counterpart companies from different countries do.     

Relationship between serum interleukin-1beta levels and acute phase response proteins in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Introduction:

The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL–1β) has any possible correlation on inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fibrinogen concentration in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients during attack-free period.

Materials and methods:

The serum levels of IL-1β, as an indicator of cytokines status, and the acute phase response proteins, CRP, ESR and fibrinogen levels were evaluated in 35 attack-free patients with FMF and 25 healthy volunteers.

Results:

Serum IL-1β levels were significantly higher in patients with FMF than control subjects (P = 0.018). There was no statistically significant difference in the serum levels of ESR, CRP and fibrinogen between two groups (P = 0.181, P = 0.816, P = 0.686, respectively). There was a significant correlation between IL-1β and CRP (r = 0.513, P = 0.002) values of FMF group.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, our results confirm the presence of increased IL-1β levels in FMF patients during attack-free period. Serum IL-1β values seems to correlate with CRP levels. The elevation of IL-1β levels may be important in monitoring subclinical inflammation of attack free period in FMF patients.     

Assessment of the decision-making process for re-use of a historical asset: The example of Diyarbakir Hasan Pasha Khan,Turkey

The requirements of historical environments that are related to social and economical changes sometimes necessitate the re-use of historical buildings that no longer serve their functions. Deciding how to re-use historical buildings is a difficult problem when the concerns of decision makers are not aligned. This paper proposes a methodology for the appropriate re-use of historical patterns that have lost their original functions and discusses the results of such re-use. Appropriate re-use can result in a sustainable preservation of both historical assets and the environment. Thus, the respectful conversion of structures for new uses based on economic and social needs ensures the authenticity of the structure and of the historical environment. In this study, the historical pattern of Diyarbak?r Hasan Pasha Khan was evaluated through the application of the proposed method. Adaptation of the structure required knowledge of traditional construction techniques. The results reveal that the proposed methodology can be effectively used for historical patterns to prioritise between various re-use criteria. This methodology can be applied in the context of re-use problems and provides solutions for such problems in historical buildings.     

The challenges of internationalization from foreign and local students’ perspectives: The case of management school

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to discern the issues pertaining to different dimensions of internationalization from the perspectives of both foreign and local students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 foreign, and 13 local students. The results show that there is a dissonance between policy makers and implementers, and the students themselves on “what a truly international higher education organization” in fact is. Moreover, the results suggest that asymmetrical aims of local and foreign students endanger fulfillment of the academic, social, and cultural rationales behind internationalization. Fulfilling the rationales of internationalization depends not only the adaptability of foreign students to local conditions but also on the priorities, choices and level of commitment of local students, administrative staff, and faculty members to the imperatives of internationalization.     

Teachers’ Facebook use: their use habits,intensity, self-disclosure,privacy settings,and activities on Facebook

This study investigated K12 teachers’ Facebook usage habits, intensity, self-disclosure, privacy settings and activities. A multi-method design was employed by collecting quantitative data from 616 teachers with a Facebook account using an online questionnaire and qualitative data from 32 teachers using online open-ended questions. The results of the study showed that Facebook seems to be part of teachers’ daily routines. Moreover, they revealed that teachers were less likely to share sensitive and potentially stigmatising personal information on Facebook. Teachers were also found to set most of their Facebook privacy settings as “Friends” by taking intimacy, unwanted contacts and potential threats into consideration. Furthermore, the findings indicated that teachers felt themselves less comfortable when parents and students viewed their Facebook profiles. In addition to social engagement, teachers pointed out several ways in which Facebook was used to support educational and professional development practices. Implications, limitations and directions to further studies are discussed.     

The role of extracurricular activities in active citizenship education

There have been multiple trends of building democratic citizens through formal education, and in the European context the trials have been dramatically increased with the Europeanization process since the 1980s. In line with this trend, an in-depth qualitative case study was carried out in a private primary school in Turkey to shed light on the role of school-based extra-curricular activities as a contemporary trend in building active citizenship values and competencies in students. Qualitative data were collected through multiple data collection tools as observation field notes, interviews, and document analysis to achieve triangulation and trustworthiness. Much of the findings were compatible with EURYDICE Report (2005) on citizenship education, and yielded six themes, called the six blossoms of extra-curricular activities in citizenship education: namely, active citizenship perception; social accountability; intercultural awareness; awareness of democracy and human rights; thinking and research skills; and interaction and interpersonal skills.