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This study aims to determine the most suitable areas for switchgrass cultivation, one of the most tolerable and preferable modern energy crops, in Eskisehir province, Turkey, and present a cost analysis model including a variety of items such as total cost, extra costs, profit, and dry product sales price. The weighted overlay analysis method was used for the first stage, based on a 5-scale suitability range and topographic, climatic, soil, and land-use characteristics. After the restricted areas were extracted from the study area boundaries, the results showed that 81,294 ha of land fell into medium suitability, 190,556 ha high suitability, and 63 ha very high suitability categories. The cost analysis model was made over a 10-ha sample field, resulting in an estimated dry crop sales price of 74 € (86 USD) per ton. This calculation was based on an optimistic assumption of 20 tons/ha of dry crop production in the study area. The model was also applied to multiplies of 10 ha to determine the most competitive price. It was concluded that 21 € (24 USD) crop sales price could be obtained from a 50 ha land in case of a 23% profitability and 1000 tons of crop production. [Display omitted] • 70% of the study area is highly suitable for switchgrass cultivation. • 3,811,120 tons of bioethanol can be produced from suitable lands in the study area. • Optimum one-piece land size should be 50 ha to achieve competitive sales prices. • Biofuel producible from 31% of the optimum lands meets the total annual fuel need of Eskişehir. • Both physical and economic factors affect land suitability for energy crop cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anatolian University Libraries Consortium (ANKOS), which was originally established to coordinate university libraries' electronic serials purchases, today plays an active role in selecting, providing access to, managing and evaluating electronic information resources in Turkey. A substantial volume of subscriptions and purchases of e-journal, e-book and e-reference resources is conducted through ANKOS. In order to measure the usage rate of these resources, to conduct cost analyses and to use the findings in strategic planning cycles of both the institutions and the consortium, a New Electronic Resources Management System (ERM) has been developed by ANKOS. In this study, the authors explain how the new system was developed, its technical features, data entry and collection, the system's contribution to the collection of institution and usage statistics, and its impact on strategic planning. Available statistical facts are also provided to illustrate the development and the impact of the new ERM system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A research study is conducted to evaluate the well efficiency assessment of horizontal wells in geothermal fields. The study is comprised of developing the field by means of drilling 15 wells, and conducting reservoir simulation. Drilling planning of vertical and horizontal wells are studied together with their respective time and cost estimates. The time estimate of horizontal geothermal wells is benchmarked to previously drilled vertical and horizontal oil wells, since the data belonging to horizontal wells was not available for study. The findings indicate that the horizontal drilling scenario would take only 7 months more than the vertical drilling scenario. Monetary wise; horizontal wells for a geothermal field is estimated to be drilled 41% more in cost. A hypothetical geothermal field model is generated for the simulations, using TOUGH2. The simulations of four scenario sensitivity analyses reveal that drilling of horizontal wells provide efficient energy extraction out of a geothermal field, in comparison having the wells drilled vertically. The approach provides powerful comparison without having made any investment in the hypothetically simulated geothermal field. The study is a novel in kind since in country such as Turkey there is no horizontal well drilled within the geothermal fields. The analysis of the results indicate that energy production from the horizontal wells are greater than the energy production of vertical wells, definitely paying off the additional investment costs for horizontal drilling and completion. • Geothermal horizontal wells are beneficial in energy production and longer pressure sustainability. • The pressure difference in high skin factor; for vertical and horizontal wells revealed considerable difference, on favor of horizontal wells. • The energy production from horizontal wells are greater than vertical wells, paying off for the costs to be invested for horizontal drilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the performance of a Carnot Battery and performs a thermodynamic-based sustainability analysis using different methods. Carnot batteries have two different operational processes, charge and discharge. Electricity generated from a renewable source is used to operate a heat pump and the heat rejected by the heat pump is stored in the battery, which is then used to generate electricity in the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) at night and called as the discharge process. Climatic data from the city of Izmir, the third largest city by population in Turkey, has been chosen for the dynamic analysis. Exergy-based sustainability and thermo-ecological cost analyses are performed. The results show that the maximum Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the heat pump system is 4.5, the exergy efficiency can reach 0.78 and its the maximum sustainability index is 4.5. For the discharge process, energy efficiency of the ORC is 0.118 while the exergy efficiency is around 0.49 with a sustainability value of about 2.0. [Display omitted] • A novel analysis method for PV driven batteries is presented • Method combines exergy-based and thermo-ecological concepts • Exergy efficiency for charge and discharge process are presented • A case study is presented and used to validate the methodology • Results prove that these methodologies are useful in Carnot Batteries analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a highly drought-resistant and cold-tolerant perennial energy crop, promising a favourable biomass energy source lately. For cost-effective switchgrass cultivation, physical characteristics and cost factors are critical in encouraging decision-makers to invest in this field. This study aims to develop a methodology to place cost analyses on a spatial basis and relate them with the environmental factors in the Eskisehir province, Türkiye. The results of a former study presenting the suitable lands for switchgrass cultivation in the region, in terms of physical parameters, were used to perform the spatial cost analysis based on the so-called indirect factors, fuel consumption, and crop yield. Regarding the assumed yield amounts and fuel consumption, the findings revealed that switchgrass agriculture on suitable lands would not promise a fixed profitability rate or fixed dry product sales price. Hence, different dry product sales prices were spatially determined and mapped according to five profitability ratios. The sales prices of the dry crop produced from high-suitable agricultural lands were found to be competitive (26.24 USD, 26.28 USD, and 26.31 USD) under free market conditions. Profitability rates varied between 22.79% and 22.66% with an optimistic scenario. It is predicted that 124,680 tons of bioethanol can be obtained with switchgrass production on lands where maximum benefit is provided. The method presented in this study demonstrates that a suitable site selection process can be conducted more holistically when cost-affecting parameters are integrated into spatial analyses and layering processes. • Geospatial characteristics directly affect fuel consumption and crop yield. • Geospatial factors resulted in five different product sales prices and profitability ratios in the study area. • Dry crop sales price was found at 26.24 USD/ton in recommended switchgrass cultivation areas with optimum crop efficiency. • 124,680 tons of bioethanol were calculated to be produced from recommended lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) products play a significant role in achieving environmental sustainability. These products can save various resources (e.g., energy, water), achieve cost savings, and manage waste better. However, understanding the determinants affecting the use of AI products and their impact on environmental sustainability is relatively low, specifically in developing countries. To fill this gap in the literature, this study develops a theoretical model by integrating two well-known theories, UTAUT and PMT, to explain the determinants influencing Generation Z use of AI products and their impact on environmental sustainability. The developed model was then evaluated using the PLS-SEM approach based on data collected from 562 respondents in Malaysia and Turkey. Although effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence, perceived severity, response efficacy, and response costs are significant drivers of green behavior among Malaysian individuals, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, perceived severity, response efficacy, and response costs are essential determinants among Turkish individuals. Interestingly, there is no significant difference between the importance of coping appraisals (i.e., self-efficacy, response efficacy, and response costs) among these two populations. The outcomes provide several contributions to the literature on AI and environmental sustainability and offer valuable insights for the practitioners, policymakers, and AI product developers. • We examine the determinants affecting AI products use and their impact on environmental sustainability. • UTAUT and PMT were adopted in this research. • Data were collected from Generation Z in Malaysia and Turkey. • Green behavior significantly affects environmental sustainability in both samples. • Cultural differences were important in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfill leachate treatment involved with the membrane bioreactor (MBR) combined with membrane treatment via nanofiltration (NF) and/or reverse osmosis (RO) is widely used in Turkey. This treatment produces landfill leachate membrane concentrates (LLMCs) with an undesirably high concentration of contaminants. In the study, two different nanofiltration concentrates of leachate were coagulated. Coagulant dosages from 0.10 to 5.0 g of Me3+/L (Me3+: Al3+ or Fe3+), and the pH values ranged from 4.0 to 8.0 and 3.0–9.0 for Al-based and Fe-based coagulants, respectively. The most efficient pH values were 5.0 and 4.0 for Al3+ and Fe3+, respectively. These pH values are lower than those known to be effective in coagulants. The reason for this is the presence of humic substances in the wastewater. The cost of Fe 2 (SO 4) 3. xH 2 O was the lowest than other coagulants at the end of the cost analyses obtained from İstanbul region landfill leachate NF concentrate (NFCL-1) and Kocaeli region landfill leachate NF concentrate (NFCL-2). Under optimum conditions, the costs for NFCL-1 and NFCL-2 were calculated as 0.55 and 0.46 $/removed kg COD, respectively. [Display omitted] • Landfill leachate membrane concentrates was coagulated. • In total, four different types of Al3+ and Fe3+ salts were used. • Detailed cost analysis of the obtained results was presented. • Ferric sulfate and aluminum sulfate were determined as cost-effective coagulants. • The best precipitations were obtained at pH 5 for Al3+ and at pH 4 for Fe3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the realizability of the MENR's Vision-2023 goals is questioned under the contradictory objectives of minimum cost, minimum emission, maximum capacity factor and maximum resource potential. This is a goal-oriented programming problem with uncertain objectives. While the decision maker (DM) can determine the goals he wants to attain in this problem, he also has undefined goals (such as cost minimization) that constrain his ability to fulfill these goals. The GP-FMO model was proposed to model such a problem. The resulting model was solved by classical LP and non-dominated genetic algorithm II (NSGA II). The solution found using the classical LP is only one of the feasible solution alternatives. The non-dominated points on the Pareto efficient set obtained by the NSGA II Algorithm were presented to the decision makers as solution possibilities based on the common satisfaction levels of the uncertain goals. Prioritization of energy resources, regional allocation, and capacity increase planning were all combined in this study. All resources in Turkey's energy supply systems were discussed. The findings provide a multidimensional perspective for energy investments. • Energy planning is a multi-objective decision-making problem in which the objectives conflict with one another. • Proposing a goal programming model under fuzzy conflicting objectives. • Integrating space allocation and assignment problems. • Offering flexible solutions to uncertain goals at a common degree of satisfaction. • Analysis of the cost of planning and carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Turkish government aims to produce 30% of the country׳s electricity demand from renewable energy sources and put two nuclear power plants with nearly 10,000 MW total installed capacity into operation by 2023. In this study, the cost of renewable energy investments based on the Vision 2023 energy targets are calculated in detail, and it is found that Turkey should spend on average 61.0 billion US$ to renewable energy sources to fulfil the Vision 2023 energy targets. Current analysis also clearly showed that Turkey must draw an urgent roadmap to illustrate how it is going to finance these mammoth renewable energy investments. It is also pinpointed that Turkey would spend nearly 50.0 billion US$ to its two new nuclear power plants in the next decade. Thus totalling the renewable and nuclear energy investments to nearly 110 billion US$ or approximately 90% of Turkey׳s estimated energy spending by 2023. Also, detailed analysis of the literature showed that only 2400 MW of the anticipated nuclear capacity can be put into operation by 2023. Consequently, a slight delay in the Vision 2023 energy targets can be expected if no urgent action is taken by the Turkish government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the high consumption in the world, the amount of waste increases. One of the critical waste types to be handled is the electrical and electronic waste (WEEE). The recovery of WEEE is very important both from environmental and economic aspects and has become mandatory in most of the countries in the world. Reverse logistics which is mainly the backward flows of used products from consumers to producers is an important stage while constructing a recovery system. The network structure of reverse logistics system plays an important role in the total cost of the recovery system. These structures mainly include the locations of facilities and the flows between the related points. With this study, a reverse logistics system is designed for WEEE in Turkey which is one of the fast developing countries in the world. Ten scenarios are taken into account regarding different collection rates via a mixed integer linear programming model. Different types of storage sites and recycling facilities are considered within the model differing from the existing studies. The optimum locations of storage sites and recycling facilities are obtained for each scenario satisfying the minimum recycling rates stated by the European Union directive for each product category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] An original method for establishment of a national methodology on cost optimality calculations is studied and illustrated. [•] The developed process is an instrument to assess realistic cost calculation periods under national market conditions. [•] Applicability of cost optimal calculations is analyzed under national circumstances and Mediterranean climates of Turkey. [•] This work is a preliminary study to define the frame of the national methodology for Turkey. [•] Main proposals are brought forward in order to adopt a strong cost optimal methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Studies about investigation of hydrogen production from wind energy and hydrogen production costs for a specific region were reviewed in this study and it was shown that these studies were rare in the world, especially in Turkey. Therefore, the costs of hydrogen, hydrogen production quantities using a wind energy conversion system were considered as a case study for 5 different locations of Nigde, Kirsehir, Develi, Sinop and Pinarbasi located in the Central Anatolia in Turkey. Annual wind energy productions and costs for different wind energy conversion systems were calculated for 50m, 80m and 100m hub heights. According to wind energy costs calculations, the amounts and costs of hydrogen production were computed. Furthermore, three different scenarios were taken into account to produce much hydrogen. The results showed that the hydrogen production using a wind energy conversion system with 1300kW rated power had a range from 1665.24kgH2/year in Nigde at 50m hub height to 6288.59kgH2/year in Pinarbasi at 100m hub height. Consequently, Pinarbasi and Sinop have remarkable wind potential and potential of hydrogen production using a wind–electrolyzer energy system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, the hydrogen production potential and costs by using wind/electrolysis system in Pınarbaşı-Kayseri were considered. In order to evaluate costs and quantities of produced hydrogen, for three different hub heights (50 m, 80 m and 100 m) and two different electrolyzer cases, such as one electrolyzer with rated power of 120 kW (Case-I) and three electrolyzers with rated power of 40 kW (Case-II) were investigated. Levelised cost of electricity method was used in order to determine the cost analysis of wind energy and hydrogen production. The results of calculations brought out that the electricity costs of the wind turbines and hydrogen production costs of the electrolyzers are decreased with the increase of turbine hub height. The maximum hydrogen production quantity was obtained 14192 kgH2/year and minimum hydrogen cost was obtained 8.5 $/kgH2 at 100 m hub height in the Case-II. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The study sought to determine the costs of liver transplantation in Turkey. All costs except physician charges were retrospectively investigated in the period from hospitalization to discharge. Liver transplantation was performed in 326 patients between 1999 and 2009. After exclusion of patients whose records could not be accessed (n = 5), who underwent second transplantations in the same hospitalization (n = 3) or who died before discharge (n = 39), 279 patients were eligible for the study. The mean cost of liver transplantation was 30.823 dollars. The mean cost in 2008 was significantly higher than for all other years; thereafter it decreased. Costs were shown to be higher among patients with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores >15. Although there was no significant cost difference among United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) groups, the mean costs of subjects of the B group were significantly lower than those of the Child C subjects C (P = .01). When we evaluated the relationship between etiological groups and costs the highest expenses were noted among hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepato cellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with 75% HBV-positivity together. There was no significant difference between age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) of recipients. The costs did not significantly change with the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) or portal vein thrombosis before transplantation or antibiotic use after transplantation. Although there was no difference between donor age and costs, living donor transplantation showed significantly higher costs than cadaveric donor cases (P = .01). In conclusion, liver transplantation is an effective treatment in end-stage liver diseases with high cost, albeit in Turkey it is relatively lower than other countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cloud computing is a novel phenomenon that paves the way for provisioning of infinitely scalable, re-usable, multi-purpose, flexible, cost-saving, efficient and customizable on-demand information technology services and products. This paper aims at providing an analysis of cloud computing in Turkey by exploring the players and the domestic patterns of cloud system. As cloud computing is very new in Turkey, the potential reflection of opportunities and challenges identified by the European Union makes the basis of this study. This paper is an output of a new research on Turkish cloud system and contributes to the literature as one of the first comers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is a frequently used reconstructive technique but is associated with a large variation regarding the management of the donor site. The aim of this study is to compare five different dressings for management of the STSG donor site in a prospective trial. Patients and methods: 100 consecutive patients, in whom reconstruction with STSG was performed, were included into the study. The grafts are harvested in a standard manner and the donor sites were dressed with one of the following materials: Aquacel® Ag, Bactigras® with Melolin®, Comfeel® Plus Transparent, Opsite® Flexigrid and Adaptic®. The materials are compared regarding to the time required for complete epithelialization, pain sensed by the patients, incidence of infection, scar formation, ease of application and the cost. Results: The earliest complete epithelialization was observed for Aquacel® Ag and the latest for Bactigras® with Melolin®·Comfeel® Plus Transparent was the most painless dressing and Bactigras® with Melolin® was the most painful. The incidence of infection was highest for Bactigras® with Melolin®·Opsite® Flexigrid was the most economical dressing and Aquacel® Ag was the most expensive one. Conclusion: The aim is to provide the earliest complete epithelialization with minimal patient discomfort and lower cost in management of the STSG donor sites. None of the tested materials were ideal regarding these criteria, but Comfeel® Plus Transparent, as the least painful and one of the most economical materials, may be offered as the dressing of choice among the tested materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Turkey has remarkable wind energy potential, but its utilisation rate is very low. However, in 2007, energy investors applied to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) with 751 wind projects to obtain a 78180.2MW wind power plant license. This paper first presents an overview of wind energy development in the world and then reviews related situations in Turkey. Second, to motivate the interest in wind energy investment, new wind power plant license applications in Turkey are analysed. Finally, wind electricity generation cost analyses were performed at 14 locations in Turkey. Capacity factors of investigated locations were calculated between 19.7% and 56.8%, and the production cost of electrical energy was between 1.73 and 4.99$cent/kWh for two different wind shear coefficients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A significant increase of concentration in the fluid milk sub-sector of Turkey has heightened concerns about firms'' ability to exercise market power. To assess the extent to which firms have exercised market power, this paper develops an empirical model that captures both market power and cost efficiency components of firms'' behavior. These components are derived with a theoretical framework that is known as the ‘New Empirical Industrial Organization (NEIO)’ approach. Data used in the empirical model is for the 1980–1998 time periods and the empirical results show an increase in market power that is ameliorated somewhat by declining processing costs for milk processors. Furthermore, these results suggest that the market power effect outweighs the cost efficiency effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While the average direct cost per patient per year was calculated as €106.981,20 with Emicizumab prophylaxis for the treatment of inhibitor-negative patients with hemophilia A, it was calculated as €117.140,70 with FVIII prophylaxis and €404.385 with episodic treatment. Compared to episodic treatment (€ -297.404) and prophylactic treatment (€ -10.160) with FVIII, Emicizumab prophylaxis is found to be a less costly treatment option and to be a cost-minimizing treatment. Prophylactic treatment of Emicizumab for inhibitor-negative patients with hemophilia A is a less costly treatment and is an option to reduce the cost burden to SSI compared to other treatments. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study was to conduct cost minimization analysis and to estimate the budget impact in Turkey if all patients with deficiency in vitamin D supplementation and calcium received Zentius Fort ((calcium carbonate 1500 mg (600 mg calcium equivalence) cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) 1000 I.U. A cost-minimization and budget impact analysis was performed based on local population and epidemiological data. [Extracted from the article]

The present study was undertaken to examine the additional economic burden associated with the complications of coronary artery disease(CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD), in the wake of increasing financial burden based on the direct costs posed by these complications from the reimbursement institution perspective. The total costs included the costs for diagnosis, maintenance, and non-medicine and medicine costs. The study results provide insight into the most prominent complications associated with CAD or PAD from the perspective of reimbursement institution including only direct medical costs. [Extracted from the article]