Aksaray Province Research Articles

Multi-Etiological Abortion due to Campylobacter spp. and Chlamydia abortus in a Sheep

In this case, multi-etiologic abortion due to Campylobacter spp. and Chlamydia abortus was determined in an aborted sheep fetus sent to Konya Veterinary Control Institute (KVKE) from a sheep farm operating in Aksaray province in 2020. The presence of Campylobacter spp. was determined by the bacterial isolation method. C.abortus was identified by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. This study should be published in order to emphasize that in the fight against sheep abortions, multi-etiologic abortions involving multiple agents should be taken into consideration in addition to a single etiologic agent, and a multidisciplinary approach should be used in the diagnosis to identify the abortion agents.

Investigating the Effect of Albedo in Simulation-Based Floating Photovoltaic System: 1 MW Bifacial Floating Photovoltaic System Design

Photovoltaic (PV) modules have emerged as a promising technology in the realm of sustainable energy solutions, specifically in the harnessing of solar energy. Photovoltaic modules, which use solar energy to generate electricity, are often used on terrestrial platforms. In recent years, there has been an increasing inclination towards the installation of photovoltaic (PV) modules over water surfaces, including lakes, reservoirs, and even oceans. The novel methodology introduces distinct benefits and complexities, specifically pertaining to the thermal characteristics of the modules. In order to accomplish this objective, a photovoltaic (PV) module system with a capacity of 1 MW was developed as a scenario in the PVsyst Program. The scenario simulation was conducted on the Mamasın Dam, situated in the Gökçe village within the Aksaray province. To conduct the efficiency analysis, a comparative evaluation was conducted between bifacial and monofacial modules, which were installed from above the water at 1 m. The comparison was made considering two different types of modules. Additionally, the albedo effect, water saving amount, and CO2 emissions of the system were also investigated. Albedo measurements were made in summer when the PV power plant will operate most efficiently. As a result of the simulations, it was found that bifacial modules produce 12.4% more energy annually than monofacial modules due to the albedo effect. It is estimated that PV power plant installation will save 19,562.695 and 17,253.475 tons of CO2 emissions in bifacial and monofacial systems, respectively.

Aksaray İli Tarımsal Biyokütle Enerji Eşdeğer Potansiyeli

Renewable energy sources are alternative fuel types that are environmentally friendly, healthy and can be used continuously as a solution to the harmful effects of fossil fuels on the environment and the problem of depletion of these fuels. Biomass, which is the residue of agricultural activity or a direct agricultural product, can be converted into a modern energy carrier by biochemical or thermochemical processes. Biomass energy of agricultural origin is an important renewable energy source such as wind, solar, geothermal energy types.
 
 Within the scope of this study, the agricultural biomass energy equivalent potential for the province of Aksaray was determined for the years 2011-2020, and the data determined for the aforementioned province were compared with the values reached in the Central Anatolia region and Turkey. Agricultural Biomass resources were examined under five main headings: Fruits - beverage - spice plants, Vegetables, Cereals - other herbal products, Clover and Sugar Beet. The energy equivalent potentials of these sources were determined in MW. In the conclusion part of the study, the average agricultural biomass energy equivalent of Aksaray province was determined as 39,027 MW in total for the five main topics. Also, the energy equivalents of Aksaray province determined in the last ten years were evaluated among themselves under each heading. In addition to all these, the same agricultural biomass energy calculation processes in Aksaray province were applied to Central Anatolia and Turkey as well, and small, medium, and large-scale evaluations were made on the table. In the light of the obtained values, it was concluded that Turkey's agricultural activities were not adversely affected by the negative effects of the pandemic process.

Sığır Fekal Örneklerinden Salmonella spp. ve Escherichia coli O157:H7’ye Özgü Bakteriyofaj Varlığının Araştırılması

S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 are the most important foodborne pathogens forming bacterial biofilms that contribute to their virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and surface survival, causing severe food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. Bacteriophages are antibacterial agents that are increasingly used to control foodborne pathogens, and they also play a role in the solution against the development of antibiotic resistance. In addition, bacteriophages can be found in wastewater, natural and animal wastes, and foodstuffs. Aim of this study to determine the purification and lytic effects of Salmonella spp. and E. coli specific phages circulating in our country, which can effectively combat common Salmonella spp. and E. coli infections in our country and the world by using samples taken from the cowshed. In this study, 3 S. Typhimurium and 1 E. coli O157:H5 bacteriophages were isolated, and their lytic activities were determined. As a result, it is thought that the lytic activities of S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 bacteriophages purified from Aksaray province in this study can shed light on the treatment of S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 infections and prevention studies in the food industry.

Complex relationships between sustainable tourism development and its antecedents: A test of serial mediation model

AbstractDrawing on social exchange theory and reasoned action theory, this study aims to investigate the relationships among residents' perceptions, community participation, ecotourism development, and sustainable tourism development. The relationships were examined using the serial mediation model of Hayes (2013). Data were collected from the local people living in Hasan Mountain Culture and Tourism Conservation and Development Area (CTCDA) in Aksaray province of Türkiye (N = 568). The findings show that community participation and ecotourism development serially mediate the effects of residents' perceptions on sustainable tourism development. In the light of the findings, positive residents' perceptions establish the eligible conditions for the strong community participation. Enhanced community participation contributes to ecotourism development, and as a result, ecotourism development promotes sustainable tourism development. This study is the first study in the literature that reveals the relationships between residents' perceptions, community participation, ecotourism development, and sustainable tourism development through the serial mediation model. The current study contributes to the literature by addressing the direct and indirect effects of residents' perceptions on sustainable tourism development. We suggest planners in CTCDAs to pay attention to residents' perceptions and community participation as the weakest link during development processes.

Real estate assessment of agricultural lands outside the zoning plan with artificial neural networks and multiple regression analysis methods: The case of Aksaray, Bahçesaray and Kırımlı rural districts

This study aims to determine the market value of the agricultural lands in the rural Bahçesaray and Kirimli districts, which are outside the zoning plan, where agricultural production continues in Aksaray Province, Central District, in Turkey, by mass valuation methods. It is also aims to provide value estimation and value map production with the help of geographic information systems (GIS). Using the sales data from 125 parcels in the study area, the market value of the real estates for which the value is unknown in the region, was estimated. The most frequently used criteria in the assessment of agricultural lands were determined, and the valuation was carried out with Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). By means of the assessment and the valuation study, the performance of the valuation methods was compared, and it was determined that the best result according to the test data was the valuation with ANN. In the performance analysis conducted with ANN, the Coefficient of Determination (R²)=0.87, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE)=0.192, Mean Absolute Error (MAE)=0.047 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)=0.059 was found. Moreover, according to the proportional standards guide determined by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), the performance measurement, the values derived for the Coefficient of Dispersion as (COD)=19.58 and Price-Related Differential as (PRD)=1.02 were also found to be within acceptable limits. Since the valuation of agricultural lands is a less studied subject, there are few articles in the literature. For this reason, it will be useful to increase such as article and evaluate the results applying it region by region. In this study, estimates were found with MRA and ANN methods and value maps were created.

Reflections of the Aksaray Province in Turkish Fine Arts after the Republic

Çağdaş Türk manzara resminde başlangıçta İstanbul ve çevresi öne çıkarken Cumhuriyet'in ilanıyla birlikte sanatçıların perspektifi ve ilgi alanı genişlemiştir. Bu dönemde, Anadolu'nun çeşitli yöreleri sanatçıların tuvallerine yansımaya başlamıştır. Ankara'nın başkent olmasıyla birlikte, sanatta yeni bir merkez oluşmaya başlamıştır. Yurt gezileri, Anadolu’nun sanat eserlerinde konu olduğu özel bir dönemdir. Bu çalışma, Anadolu’nun merkezinde bulunan Aksaray’ın, sanatçıların yapıtlarında ne kadar temsil edildiği ve temsil konularının neler olduğu sorularına cevap aramaktadır. Bu soruların cevaplarına ulaşabilmek için, basılı ve elektronik belgelerde literatür taraması yapılmış ve sergi katalogları taranmıştır. Ulaşılabilen literatür ve kataloglar incelenerek yapılan çalışmalarda elde edilen sonuçlara göre, yurt gezilerinde Aksaray'ın resmedilmediği ve Kapadokya bölgesinde önemli bir konumda olan Aksaray ilinin resim sanatında yeterince temsil edilmediği tespit edilmiştir. Nitekim, daha sonraki dönemlerde Fikret Otyam ve Hasan Akın gibi sanatçıların Aksaray’ı tuvallerine taşıdığı görülmüştür. Bu yapıtlarda Hasan Dağı, bölgenin doğal coğrafi oluşumları ve tarihi mekanları sıklıkla çalışılan konular arasındadır.

Ampelographic Characteristics of Grape Varieties Cultivated in Aksaray Province

In this study, eight cultivars, all of which are Vitis vinifera L., are grown in Aksaray province were determined. Identification material was selected approximately 20 years old, own roots vines in the producer vineyards. Ampelographic characteristics are defined by 123 descriptive characters in the OIV (The International Organization of Vine and Wine) list of grape and grapevine rootstock varieties identification criteria. With the numerical codes of the OIV identification criteria, similarity analysis was made in the IBM SPSS Statistics software (SPSS) package program, and the similarity relationships of the cultivars were visualized with a dendrogram. Aşeri and Mor Üzüm varieties defined in Aksaray province are not registered in the European Catalogue, but all varieties are Vitis vinifera L. Subsp. vinifera is registered as Turkey varieties. All the cultivar excluding Aşeri, and Emir names defined here are included in the Turkey grapevine genetic resources list, and several cultivars containing the same name or synonyms have been defined in different studies. The ampelographic descriptions of Aşeri and Emir grape varieties were made for the first time. The ampelographic definitions of Ak Dimrit, Çavuş, Kalecik Karası, Mor Üzüm, Parmak Üzümü and Sergi Karası cvs were confirmed with previous descriptions made in different provinces. The similarities and differences of the varieties we identified were reflected in the similarity dendrogram. Six of the eight grape varieties are hermaphrodite, and two of them (Çavuş and Sergi Karası) are functional female flowers. In the international variety catalogue records, the most common Aksaray variety on a global scale is Çavuş variety originating from Turkey. The cv. Parmak Üzümü was a separate ecotype due to its differences from previous identification records. It would be appropriate to protect the Aşeri, Emir, and Parmak Üzümü varieties, which we described for the first time, in the grapevine genetic resources of Turkey

Evaluation of biological (feed, water), seasonal, and geological factors affecting the heavy metal content of raw milk

In volcanic regions worldwide, soil and water can be contaminated with heavy metals. Aksaray province is also an important region in this respect. Because this city is located around Hasandağı, an extinct volcanic mountain. In addition, the city is also an important dairy center. In this regard, evaluating the milk produced in Aksaray in terms of heavy metal contamination and studying the effect of feed and water on this contamination is essential. For this purpose, feed, water, and milk samples from 7 milk producers determined in Aksaray province were collected in 3 different seasons within six months. The presence and levels of arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were determined by ICP-MS analysis of the 126 samples obtained. The study found varying levels of heavy metals in feed, water, and milk. It was also observed that milk contained considerably lower quantities of metals and metalloids than feed and water. In addition, it has been determined that the distance to Hasandağı does not affect the trace element levels in water, milk, and feed, but there is a significant relationship between seasonal changes and trace elements in the samples. According to the analysis results, the highest level is the feed’s aluminum level (298290.1 µg/kg). However, the aluminum level in milk remained well below this level (96.15 µg/kg). It was determined that the cadmium level in milk reached the highest level in spring (average 0.06 µg/kg), whereas lead levels reached the highest level in summer (average 2.14 µg/kg). On the other hand, the arsenic level showed a relatively small change according to the distance to the volcanic region. The average arsenic level in milk from regions near the volcanic area was measured as 1.01 µg/kg. In remote areas, this amount was measured as 0.94 µg/kg. Furthermore, the highest heavy metal level in the milk was 182.08 µg/kg for nickel during the summer months in the study.

LOCAL TOURS IN ACHIEVING COMPETITIVE SUPERIORITY IN MEDICAL TOURISM: THE CASE OF AKSARAY

The main purpose of this research is to examine the importance of local tours in order to gain competitive advantage in the medical tourism sector. Medical tourism is a sector that involves patients who have difficult access to health services or who face high costs, traveling across international borders for the purpose of receiving health care. Medical tourists generally prefer destinations that offer quality health services, affordable prices, specialist doctors and modern facilities. Local tours are package tours that offer medical tourists local culture, natural beauties, traditional tastes and other touristic experiences. Such tours enrich the medical tourism experience and provide tourists with an unforgettable holiday experience.
 This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that competitiveness in medical tourism can be achieved through local tours. At the same time, it aimed to answer the question of whether Aksaray province is adequately equipped as a medical tourism destination. In-depth interview technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the data collection process. The research was carried out on the entire Aksaray province universe and the interviews were held in Aksaray province center. Data were collected in April 2019. Within the scope of the study, interviews were held with Aksaray University officials, Aksaray Training and Research Hospital officials, Aksaray Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Aksaray Provincial Tourism Directorate, Aksaray Provincial Health Directorate, representatives of private hospitals throughout the province and travel agencies with a total of 20 participants. Interviews were conducted in the form of one-on-one interviews lasting approximately 45 minutes. 55% of the participants are represented by public institutions and organizations, 40% by private institutions and organizations and 5% by non-governmental organizations.
 According to the data obtained, it was concluded that Aksaray province has health tourism potential and local tours are an attractive option in medical tourism. Aksaray's tourism potential is supported by its historical and cultural elements. However, the lack of development of medical tourism is due to reasons such as lack of projects, unconsciousness, lack of investment and funding. Aksaray has the equipment that can provide competitive power in the field of medical tourism and is suitable for development. Aksaray's tourism potential needs to be integrated with health tourism, coordination among stakeholders and a strategic plan should be created. It is obvious that Aksaray will develop more economically and socially if it fully utilizes its potential in the field of medical tourism.

Aksaray Province Brand Equity Research

Marka kavramının ortaya çıkışı birbirine benzeyen ürünleri daha kolay ayırt etmeyi kolaylaştırmak amacıyladır. Zamanla marka kavramı farklı ve özel anlamlar kazanmaya başlamıştır. Marka ilk zamanlar mal ve hizmetler için kullanılmıştır. Fakat zamanla markanın kapsamı genişlemiş ve bu kapsam içine fikirler, kişiler, kentler, ülkeler, bölgeler, yerler gibi farklı unsurları da kapsamaya başlamıştır. Bugün artık sadece işletmelerin ya da malların değil, ülkelerin veya kentlerin de marka değerleri oluşmuş ve bunlara ilişkin insanların zihinlerinde imajlar bulunmaktadır. Bu imajlar, insanların o kentte ticaret, yatırım yapma ve kenti ziyaret etme tercihlerini etkilemektedir. Bu durum komşu şehirler arasında rekabet alanı oluşturmuştur. Bu yüzden birçok kent mevcut kent imajlarını ve kentlerinin marka değerlerini belirleme ve bunları daha iyi hale getirme çabasına girmektedirler. 
 Bu çalışmada Aksaray’ın marka değeri, bu şehirde ikamet eden insanların bakış açılarıyla belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Aksaray’da yaşayan insanların görüşleri hazırlanan anket formu ile belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Anket formu il merkezindeki insanlara yüz yüze olarak uygulanmış ve toplam 2.272 geçerli anket verisi elde edilmiştir. İstatistik programı aracılığıyla istatistiki analizler yapılmıştır. Yapılan analizler sonucunda Aksaray için ilk çağırışım yapanlar Malaklı Köpeği, Ihlara vadisi ve Hasan dağı olmuştur. Katılımcılar Aksaray’ın marka değerinin olması gerekenden daha düşük olduğunu, spor aktiviteleri, uluslararası tanıtım aktiviteleri, konaklama yerlerinin marka değeri, alternatif turizm etkinlikleri, halkın davranışları, sosyal kültürel aktiviteler, üst yapı yatırımları ve şehir içi ulaşım açısından yetersiz olduğu görülmüştür. İnanç merkezleri, tarihi eserler ve kentin konumunun yeterlik açısından daha iyi olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca şehri ziyaret edenlerin memnun ayrıldığı ve arkadaş edinmenin kolay olduğu görülmüş, toplu taşıma ve sosyal faaliyetlerin yetersiz olduğu görülmüştür. Aksaray’ın marka değerinin iyileştirilmesi için ilk olarak daha fazla ulusal ve uluslararası tanıtım etkinliklerinin yapılması, sosyal, kültürel ve sportif etkinlikler için daha fazla girişimde bulunularak ev sahipliği yapılması önerilmektedir. Ayrıca Aksaray için kent logosu tasarlanıp bu logonun şehirle ilgili kurum, kuruluş ve ürünlerde kullanımının teşvik edilmesi önerilmektedir.

Seasonal variation of chemical content and heavy metal levels in raw milk

Aksaray province is an important raw milk supplier for the dairy industry. In this respect, it is important to examine the milk quality of the region. In this case, milk was collected over a nine-month period from 413 cows at seven distinct locations in three different seasons. The percentages of fat, lactose, protein, dry matter, somatic cells, and the levels of heavy metals like arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead, and nickel were examined. All of these components and their levels of seasonal variations in milk were also researched.
 Considering the average values of the parameters of the milk collected from all farms evaluated within the scope of the study, significant changes were detected. Significant changes were observed for fat, lactose, total solids, somatic cells, arsenic, aluminum, nickel, cadmium and lead. Only the protein value did not change depending on the seasons. The details of the changes on the basis of farms are also examined in the study.

Determination Conservation Priority Areas and Taxa in Terms of Birds: The Case of Aksaray

Growing environmental challenges worldwide and the lack of resources to tackle them require conservationists to set priorities for action. As known; protected areas will be needed as species change their distribution over time due to global climate change, drought, and complete habitat destruction. Although; conservation targets have been met for most species, some conservation features remain unprotected, especially for threatened bird species. There are certain habitat types in Aksaray province where target species belonging to different bird groups are concentrated. Herein; we identify these priority areas for conservation for the current and future estimated distributions of bird species. For this purpose; field studies have been carried out for two years (2015-2017) to represent different habitat types besides bird species detected within the borders of the province. According to our findings; three different habitats (wetland, swamp, and steppe) rich in target species were determined as priority areas for protection. In addition, five different bird species (Vanellus vanellus, Limosa limosa, Numenius arquata, Circus macrourus, Streptopelia turtur) observed in these habitats are in the Vu (Vulnerable) and NT (Near Threatened) categories according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. As a result;both the protection and monitoring of the identified habitats and taxa that directly reflect the health of the habitat will facilitate the ustainability of priority areas in future. This study could be a resource for future regulation of conservation strategies

Rolling Forecast Budgeting as an Alternative Approach in Budgeting: An Application in a Hotel Management in Aksaray Province

Geleneksel bütçeleme yaklaşımına yönelik çeşitli eleştirilerin sonucunda alternatif bir bütçeleme yaklaşımı olarak ileri sürülen sürekli bütçeleme yaklaşımı, muhasebe dönemine bağlı kalmaksızın, değişen çevre koşullarına kolaylıkla adapte olabilen ve sürekli olarak aylık ve/veya 3 aylık revize edilebilen bütçelerdir. Yöntemde sona eren aya ve/veya 3 aya karşılık, bir sonraki yılın aynı ayı ve/veya 3 ayına yönelik yeni bir bütçe dönemi ilave edilir. Böylece işletmeler dönem ortasında bile 12 aylık bütçeye sahiptirler. Bu çalışmanın amacı, fiili olarak faaliyetlerini sürdüren bir hizmet işletmesinde sürekli bütçeleme yaklaşımının uygulanmasıdır. Bu amaç kapsamında Aksaray ilinde faaliyetlerini sürdüren 3 yıldızlı bir şehir oteli işletmesi üzerine uygulamalar gerçekleştirilmiştir. Uygulama aşamasına geçilmeden önce, sürekli bütçeleme yaklaşımına yönelik kavramsal çerçeve ve literatür taramalarına yer verilmiştir. Otel işletmesinde gerçekleştirilen uygulamalar ile literatürde yer alana fiili bir işletme üzerine uygulama boşluğu probleminin çözülmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu sayede işletmelere, sürekli bütçeleme yaklaşımının uygulanabilirliği hususunda bir farkındalık yaratılabileceği düşünülmüştür.

An extended review on the relationship between the social studies teachers' inclusive education awareness and social justice perceptions

This research aimed to review the relationship between the awareness of social studies teachers on inclusive education and their perceptions of social justice. This research designed with a relational survey model was carried out using quantitative research methods to collect data specific to both concepts and to reveal the relationship between them. The study group of the research consists of 148 social studies teachers assigned to public schools in the central district of Aksaray province and Mamak district of Ankara province as of the 2021-2022 academic year. “Awareness Scale for Inclusive Education” and “Social Justice Scales in Schools” were used as the data collection tools for this research. The questionnaires were applied via Google Forms due to the pandemic. As a result of the research executed within the framework of various variables, it was concluded that there is a positive relationship between social studies teachers’ awareness of inclusive education and their perceptions of social justice. The reasons concerning the variables pointing to a significant difference as per the findings obtained in the current research may be revealed by collecting in-depth data through qualitative research designs. In addition, the relationship between social studies teachers' perceptions of inclusive education and social justice can be examined based on different variables.

An Investigation on the Technological Competency Self- Evaluation Levels of English Language Teachers

This study was conducted to determine the technology competency self-evaluation levels of English Language Teachers and their opinions on the subject. The mixed method, in which qualitative and quantitative research designs were used together, was used in the study. The data of the research was collected using data collection tools including scale and open-ended questions. The research covers English Language Teachers working in Aksaray province in the 2020-2021 academic year. The sample of the study consists of 303 English Language Teachers working in primary, secondary and high schools in Aksaray. Teachers’ technology self-efficacy assessment capacities were determined by taking their opinions with the help of Technology Competence Self-Evaluation scale. It was tried to determine teachers’ technology use capacities, the problems they face and solution offers by means of open-ended questions prepared by the researcher. The data gathered was analysed through t-tests and one-way Anova via SPSS programme and the opinions obtained from open-ended questions were analyzed through content analysis. As a result of research, it was found that Technological Competency Self-evaluation Levels of English Language Teachers is high and their self-efficacy does not make a significant difference in terms of professional seniority, teachers’ levels of academic work, going to technology course and using platforms like eTwinning, web 2.0. It was determined that teachers used technology as Education and Training environment, they used it on the purpose of assessment and evaluation at the lowest level, the teachers who have higher professional seniority have much more difficulties. It was also determined that they face the problems such as infrastructure, internet access problems and illiteracy. It was confirmed that teachers should take in-service training courses as a solution.

The Effect of Creative Writing Practices Integrated with Story-Based Learning Approach on Secondary School Students' Writing Attitudes and Development of Creative Writing Skills

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of creative writing practices integrated with the story-based learning approach on the writing attitudes and creative writing skills of 6th grade middle school students. The study was conducted with a convergent parallel design approach, one of the mixed method research designs. The study utilized the pre-test-post-test paired control group model, one of the quasi-Experiment models, in the quantitative dimension of the study, and the case study, one of the qualitative research methods, in the qualitative dimension. The study group consisted of 6th grade students attending two different public schools in Aksaray province in the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. The study was conducted with 54 students, 27 in the Experiment group and 27 in the control group. During the education process, creative writing practices integrated with the story-based learning approach were carried out with the students in the Experiment group, while the students in the control group were taught with writing activities in the existing textbook. The application lasted 8 weeks. The creative writing achievement based on the pre-test and post-test results of the students both in the Experiment and the control groups were evaluated with the "Creative Writing Assessment Scale" while their attitudes towards writing were evaluated with the "Writing Attitude Scale". In addition to descriptive statistics, the quantitative data obtained in the study were analyzed using (Independent) Samples t-test, Mann Whitney U, Wilcoxon's Test of Ranked Associations, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA); the qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interview forms were analyzed using content analysis technique. As a result of the research, it was concluded that creative writing practices integrated with the story-based learning approach improved students' creative writing skills.

Application of Thermal Energy Harvesting from Photovoltaic Panels

This paper describes a newly developed system for harvesting thermoelectric energy from photovoltaic panels. This system helps to power monitoring systems for photovoltaic panels (PVs) in locations where there is no energy source using waste thermal energy from PVs exposed to the sun’s rays. In the study described here, the thermal energy from a PV panel was captured and transferred to a thermoelectric generator (TEG). A temperature gradient was created by reducing the temperature using an aluminium heat sink in ambient weather conditions. This temperature gradient was used to generate electricity via two TEGs. In field tests carried out in April, in Aksaray province in central Turkey, the maximum temperature gradient due to solar radiation was measured as 21.08 °C. The harvested energy was increased to a usable level of 4.1 V using a DC-to-DC converter and stored in a li-ion rechargeable battery. The maximum charge current level of the battery was 147 µA. The maximum harvested energy was 458.64 mW, and a stable level of around 350 mW was achieved. The experimental operation of the prototype system was carried out in stable weather conditions; however, weather and climatic conditions greatly affect levels of energy harvested as a result of changing temperature gradients. The energy obtained with the prototype may reduce the battery maintenance costs of PV monitoring systems and lead to the development of new such systems which cannot presently be used due to a lack of energy.

Aksaray İlinde Koyun Yetiştiriciliğinin Yapısal Özellikleri

Bu çalışma, Aksaray ilinde koyun yetiştiricilerinin mevcut durumunu ve sorunlarını tespit etmek, koyunculuk işletmelerinin yapısal özelliklerini ortaya koymak amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla hazırlanan ve toplam 68 sorudan oluşan anket soruları koyun yetiştiricileri ile yüz yüze yöneltilmiş ve cevaplar kaydedilmiştir. Elde edilen bilgiler frekans analizi yapılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Anket sonucunda yetiştirici ailelerinin 5-7 kişilik fertlerden oluştuğu ve eğitim seviyesinin daha çok ilkokul düzeyinde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Yetiştiriciler daha çok Akkaraman ırkını et, süt ve yapağı amacıyla yetiştirdiklerini bildirmişlerdir. Genellikle müstakil kapalı ağıla sahip olan yetiştiriciler, hayvanlarını mera ve elden besleme şeklinde yönetmektedirler. İlde koyunların genellikle 18 aylık yaşta ilk defa çiftleştirildiği ve koç katımı için genellikle Eylül ayının tercih edildiği belirlenmiştir. Üreticiler hayvanlarını elle sağmakta ve elde etmiş oldukları sütü peynire dönüştürmektedirler. Bu peynirlerin genellikle perakende olarak satıldığını beyan etmişlerdir. İşletmelerde en az bir sağlık koruma programı uygulanırken, en fazla ayak-tırnak hastalığı ve yavru atma sorunlarını yaşadıklarını iletmişlerdir. Yaşadıkları en büyük sorun yem pahalılığı olan üreticiler, devletten veteriner hizmeti ve damızlık temini talep ettiklerini belirtmişlerdir.

A RESEARCH ON AKSARAY- BEYAZSARAY VILLAGE PILLOW CARPET WEAVING SAMPLES

Pillow carpets are examples of carpets that are generally woven to be placed on the walls in homes. Pillow carpets, which are one of the carpet weaving groups, are examples that are woven in homes to lean on people's backs. Pattern features used in weaving show changes over time as well as depending on the region it is woven. One of the most important reasons for this is the migration culture. Pillow weaving samples are widely woven in weaving regions. The inside of the weaving is filled with wicker grass. Pillow weaving samples found in the village are used as exhibits on the walls of the houses. Aksaray province and its surroundings used to be one of the carpet weaving centers, and it is one of the villages that weaving in the old times in Beyazsaray village of Aksaray. In the study, research was carried out on the weaving samples found in Beyazsaray village and the pillow weaving samples were examined. The general characteristics of the pillow weaving samples, the materials used, their general condition and pattern compositions were examined and evaluated. Keywords: Pillow, Carpet, Pattern, White House, Aksaray