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The authors' aim is to provide breast surgeons' perspectives on the relative importance of the criteria for choosing an appropriate surgery method between mastectomy (total removal of a breast) and breast-conserving surgery (removal of a breast cancer tumor and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it) for women with breast cancer by using the multicriteria decision-making method (MCDM). The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods are utilized. A decision hierarchy is set with a goal, criteria, and alternatives. We developed our model based on three main criteria, tumor-related, patient-related, and post-operative process-related factors and nineteen sub-criteria, as well as two alternatives, mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS). An online questionnaire was sent to the breast surgeons; we showed that the most important criteria are post-operative process-related factors, especially the demand for esthetic appearance based on 39 breast surgeons. Conversely, the least significant criteria are tumor-related factors. Furthermore, breast-conserving surgery is selected as the most appropriate surgery method for breast cancer patients using the AHP, TOPSIS, and VIKOR.

HANCERLIOGULLARI KOKSALMIS, GULSAH/0000-0002-2551-541X WOS: 000483755100005 This study is designed to provide paediatric surgeons' perspectives on the relative importance of the criteria for choosing a surgical mode for undescended testicle treatment between open surgery (orchiopexy) or laparoscopic surgery and determine the suitable surgical mode by using the multicriteria decision-making method. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods are utilized. A decision hierarchy is set with a goal, criteria, and alternatives. Our model is developed on the basis of four main criteria (time-related, patient-related, recovery-related, and complication-related factors) and 11 subcriteria (operation duration, length of stay in hospital, preoperative preparation time, recovery period after surgery, age of patient, weight of patient, aesthetic appearance, quality of life satisfaction, recurrence, possibility of infection, and vital function) as well as two alternatives, laparoscopy and open surgery. An online questionnaire was sent to the paediatric surgeons; responses from the 31 experts (i.e., paediatric surgeons) indicate that the most important criteria are found to be the time-related factors, especially preoperative preparation time. On the other hand, the least important criteria are found to be complication-related factors. Moreover, laparoscopy is chosen as the most suitable method for the undescended testicle using the AHP, TOPSIS, and VIKOR methods. This study helps paediatric surgeons' decision making by elucidating their priority criteria and representing their decision-making process in terms of quantity with the help of AHP, TOPSIS, and VIKOR methodologies.

This article describes how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems play a crucial role in radiology, specifically in the diagnosis of diseases and management of patient treatment. The objective of this article is to present MRI technicians' perspective on the relative importance of the required factors when selecting and purchasing an MRI system. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was used to determine the relative priorities for different criteria along with the consistency of responses. A set of criteria for MRI system were identified based on the literature and interviews with experts (i.e., MRI technicians), and organized into a rational hierarchical framework consisting of the five main criteria and nineteen sub-criteria. An online survey including demographic questions was conducted to identify the relative weights of these criteria. Survey responses from 87 technicians indicate that brand is found to be the most important criteria, followed by patient comfort, usability, technical issues, and performance. Among the sub-criteria, the highest weights are assessed for country of origin, user-friendly independent workstation, reputation, software support. The findings demonstrate the factors that can be critical discriminators between different MRI systems.

The purpose of this study is to question whether the level and dimensions of strategic management implementation affect the innovation level of the enterprise. Some situations created by strategic management (such as abundance, institutionalism) provide a healthy development environment in terms of innovation. Environmental scanning has been shown to support service innovation positively and powerfully. In this study, the level of strategic management applications not only impact on the type of innovation but also impact on all types of innovation were investigated. For this purpose, data obtained from 88 managers from various sectors were analyzed and interpreted by using survey method. As a result, a positive relationship was found between the strategic management level and innovation. It was found that the most important strategic management application level indicator affecting all types of innovation is environmental scanning intensity, planning horizon, and strategic control. Other indicators of the level of strategic management implementation, the flexibility of the strategic plan, and the level of participation in the preparation of strategic plans and innovation level of the enterprise could not be determined.

Today, the increase in the sense of independence and developments in communication technology increase the importance of working from home. Working from home is not defined as bringing home the work that the employee cannot rise to the workplace, but rather working from home by the management at a certain frequency rather than going to work. Working from home has positive and negative effects on work-life. While some studies have positive findings that working from home will improve work performance, some studies have found that being away from the workplace will decrease team performance, create obstacles for progress and adversely affect business life. One hundred eighty employees, including 66 managers of the company to apply to work from home in the Turkish automotive sector, did take part in this study. As a result of the study, it has been concluded that the increase in transportation time and frequency of working from home reduces the level of communication between the manager and the employee and contributes positively to the establishment of work-family balance. It was obtained that working at home posed a barrier to progress at both the executive and employee levels and prevented teamwork. As a result, to increase the motivation of employees to work from home, it may be suggested that companies should place systems of teamwork in their enterprises, provide the necessary technological tools for remote teamwork and establish systems that closely monitor the results of the work of workers from home in their career plans.

Glaucoma is a condition of irreversible blindness, but early diagnosis and appropriate interventions can enable patients to see for a longer time. This addresses the importance of developing a decision-support system for glaucoma diagnosis. Glaucoma occurs when pressure happens around the eyes, which causes damage to the optic nerves and deterioration of vision. There are different levels of glaucoma disease including blindness. Diagnosis at an early stage allows a chance for therapies that slows the progression of the disease. By using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images and pattern recognition systems, it is possible to develop a support system for doctors to make decisions on glaucoma. Thus, in this recent study we develop an evaluation and support system for the use of doctors. Computer software based on a pattern recognition system would help doctors to carry out objective evaluations for their patients. It is intended that after carrying out the development and evaluation processes of the software, the system will serve for use by doctors in different hospitals.

Revealing user needs, which are usually dependent on qualitative methods, is a fundamental stage for medical technology selection and purchasing. The aim of this study is to determine weights of factors affecting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system selection from the radiologists’ perspective. In order to solve the problem, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based model is used. Factors that affect the MRI system selection from radiologists’ point of view include five main criteria and 19 sub-criteria that are indicated by experts. An online questionnaire containing demographic questions enables each expert to compare the relative priority of criteria with all the other criteria. According to the analysis of 39 experts (i.e., radiologists), brand- and patient comfort-related factors are the two most important factors affecting the MRI system selection. A real-world application is conducted to illustrate the utilization of the model. AHP contributes to developing an analytic and comprehensive framework of decision making. The method should be considered by practitioners involved in decisions about new medical systems.

Unlike in the past, the emerging trend is to provide online services due to the developments over the course of years. Online presence becomes the most significant factor of competitiveness. At this peak, firms try to infer the dynamics that increase customers' acceptance of these services. The present study aims to identify the complex relationships among the various factors of usability and functionality. Analytic network process (ANP) was selected by the merit of its interdependence perspective to see the comparative effects of usability and functionality factors on internet banking (IB) website selection. The information gathered through two questionnaires that conducted for Is bank and Yapi Kredi Bank IB website users. The findings reveal that customers give higher priority to usability and usability-related factors, namely navigation and interaction rather than functionality. Another point worth mentioning is that information provision and security also prepossess the customer preference.

WOS: 000252201700005, PubMed: 18220157, Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is an occupational pulmonary disease that occurs by chronic inhalation of coal dust. Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is divided into two categories depending on the extent of the disease as simple pneumoconiosis (SP) and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Development of CWP is associated with the activation of the immune system. Neopterin is a predictive biochemical marker of cell-mediated immune activation and elevated levels of neopterin are detected in body fluids of patients with immune-related diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate whether increased serum, urine and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid levels of neopterin is associated with the development and/or severity of CWP. Mean serum neopterin levels in SP and PMF patients (10.72 +/- 0.98 nmol/L; 14.08 +/- 3.86 nmol/L, respectively) were significantly higher than those of control group (5.30 +/- 0.47 nmol/L) (P < 0.05). Although urinary neopterin levels were also increased in SP and PMF patients (235.17 +/- 7.40 mu mol/mol creatinine; 256.05 +/- 9.43 mu mol/mol creatinine, respectively) as compared with the control group (140.00 +/- 5.43 mu mol/mol creatinine) (P < 0.01), they were within the normal concentration range. No significant difference was observed between serum and urinary neopterin levels of SP and PMF patients. A correlation was observed between serum and urinary neopterin levels of all subjects (r = 0.525, P < 0.01). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with SP and PMF (22.67 +/- 2.9 nmol/L; 41.67 +/- 8.68 nmol/L, respectively) compared with control subjects (6.264 +/- 1.74 nmol/L) (P < 0.05, P < 0.0 1, respectively). The levels of neopterin in BAL fluid were also significantly higher in patients with PMF than in those with SP (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that elevated serum and BAL levels of neopterin may be considered as a suitable biomarker for the assessment of CWP.

Information and communication technologies are radically changing the way that healthcare is delivered with the development of e-Health among the most remarkable changes. It plays an increasingly important role in delivering healthcare. Information and communication technology has the potential to effectively support the complexities involved in the communication that takes place both amongst healthcare professionals and their patients in the developed and developing countries. The aim of the chapter is to analyze the recent situation in healthcare management and information communication technology applications in the health industry. This chapter examines the challenges involved in human interaction and a clinical information system and allows for richer communication between the patient and those involved in their health.

Our study focused on the relative impact of faculty members' personal characteristics, computer self-efficacy, and attitudes toward the Internet on integration of electronic communication in teaching. By using survey methodology, data collected from 133 faculty members, who are from four different faculties at Istanbul Technical University. This study shows that computer self-efficacy in using the WWW is the only predictor of integration of electronic communication in teaching courses. Furthermore, we found out that computer self-efficacy in using the WWW was related to computer self-efficacy in using computer, computer self-efficacy in using e-mail, and faculty they belong to. The results suggest that these variables need to be considered when planning training programs or differential staffing for reconciling faculty and their integration of electronic communication in teaching courses.