INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEW HORIZONS IN THE SCIENCES

EPIGENETIC RESEARCH IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION: THE ROLE AND FUTURE OF BIOINFORMATICS TOOLS

Gülşah Keklik — 2024-12-31

Epigenetics is a branch of science that examines molecular modifications that regulate gene expression without any sequence change in the DNA molecule, which is the genetic material of organisms. Epigenetic modifications have an effect on gene expression, especially with the role they play in the regulation of transcription. Environmental factors as well as genetic mechanisms play an important role in the emergence of quantitative characters in animal production. At this point, epigenetic research has a critical role for sustainable animal production in understanding the interactions of environmental factors with genetic structure in animal production and the effects of these interactions on issues such as productivity, genetic improvement and health. The use of bioinformatics tools is very important in the processing, analysis and interpretation of the data obtained as a result of epigenetic studies. With the bioinformatics analysis of epigenetic data, the degree of accuracy in breeding studies will increase and a sustainable animal production will become even more possible.

In this review, the current status and future of bioinformatics methods used in epigenetic studies in animal production in terms of animal breeding are discussed.

BASIC STATISTICS OF CUSTOMER ANALYSIS DATA IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR

Ahmet Yiğit SUNAL — 2024-12-31

The telecommunications sector has reached a broad customer base with the increased use of smartphones. However, challenges such as customer churn have also emerged in this sector. This study encompasses a statistical analysis to develop strategies to prevent customer churn by analyzing customer behavior in the telecommunications sector. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to Ghana's telecommunications sector dataset. The dataset includes demographic information, service usage trends, and customer statuses of 1971 customers from four companies.

The study evaluated factors affecting customer churn, such as age, gender, education level, duration with the company, payment amount, and reasons for choosing the company. The customer churn rate was found to be 52.5%, with churns being particularly concentrated in the 25-34 age range. Additionally, pricing was identified as the most significant reason for churn, and it was observed that churn rates increased among long-term customers (3-4 years and above).

As the primary motivation of the study was to prepare a dataset for customer churn prediction using machine learning methods, the preprocessing, cleaning, and basic statistical analysis phases of the data were detailed. Furthermore, the findings provided a foundation for advanced analyses and strategic decisions aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing churn. In this context, the research results offer significant contributions toward the development of customer-focused strategies in the telecommunications sector and the more effective use of machine learning algorithms.

EFFECTS OF SUSPENSION AND AXLE MODIFICATIONS ON THE VEHICLE DYNAMICS OF AN EXTENDED MIDIBUS WITH A NARROW AXLE

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Erdem Uzunsoy — 2024-12-31

In this study, the effects of rear axle and suspension modifications on the dynamic behavior of an extended midibus were analyzed. Modifications included an increased rear track width, achieved using a patented distancer system, and the integration of additional air and leaf springs. These changes were designed to enhance lateral stability, load distribution, and handling performance. A rigid-body vehicle dynamics model, validated through experimental testing, was used to evaluate the impact of these modifications under steady-state cornering conditions. The results demonstrated that the wider rear track and improved suspension geometry significantly reduced roll angle, enhanced yaw stability, and improved maneuverability. These findings provide a practical framework for optimizing stability and handling in extended vehicle configurations, contributing to safer and more dynamically robust midibus designs.

OPTIMIZING FUZZY LOGIC CONTROL FOR VEHICLE PATH TRACKING WITH PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION

Ercan Doğru — 2024-12-31

This paper presents an optimal path tracking scheme for a vehicle handling dynamics model with eight degrees of freedom. A fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is incorporated to handle nonlinearities using heuristic rules. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is applied to optimize the scaling factors of the FLC outputs, ensuring normalized ranges for controller inputs and outputs. The optimization achieved convergence within 154 iterations. Simulation results under ISO lane change maneuvers at 70-80 kph demonstrate that the optimized fuzzy controller significantly improves trajectory tracking performance, reducing lateral deviation and enhancing control stability compared to the baseline controller.