The law of one price and the role of market structure

This paper examines the role of market structure on the persistence of price deviations from the LOP using monthly actual product prices of 47 items collected from three different types of markets in Istanbul over 1993:01-2008:12. After showing the importance of market structure on the distribution of relative prices, we implement threshold autoregressive models. We find significant differences in average threshold estimates across markets which we explain referring to differing menu costs in each market. Yet, we find no differences in average half-life estimates across markets. We argue that this is due to low search costs in Istanbul. Robustness checks verify our findings

Nonlinear impact of inflation on relative price variability

Using a half-a-century long disaggregated price data for 22 food products collected from 19 cities, we show that the association between inflation and price variability is nonlinear with respect to changes in inflation rate. We obtain similar results for expected and unexpected inflation

Analytic Hierarchy Process While Choosing Authentication with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems

Nowadays, it cannot be thought that companies carry out their activities stand away from technology. Especially, with Fourth Industrial Revolution 4.0 (Industry 4.0) smart technologies has started to play big role in factories. One of the innovation of industry 4.0 is RFI technology, today used by various industries in multiple areas, and there are widespread researches about this subject thus aims that to improve these technologies one step further. Besides that, management of technology becomes more crucial from many points of view of companies. Inaccurate technology investment usually might cause loss for companies. In this context, in order to choose best RFID option with defined criteria, at a company in automotive sector where technological development is followed and implemented, hierarchical model is established and from based on this model analytical hierarchy process used and an application is carried out

Identification of PDE10A related proteins via proteomic analysis

Aim: Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) regulates the expression of secondary messengers of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which control several intracellular signaling pathways. Recently, deactivation of PDE10A has been a notable target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we identified the effects of PDE10A inhibition on protein profile using TAK-063 under physiological condi- tions in mice. Materials and Methods: In this study, 8-12 weeks old male C57BL6/J mice were divided into vehicle or 3 mg/kg TAK-063 groups. Thirty minutes after oral delivery of vehicle or TAK-063, animals were sacrificed and liquid chromatography-mass spectrome- try/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) mediated proteomic analyses were performed from tissue samples taken from the striatum region of mice. After the LC-MS/MS analysis, identified proteins were classified based on biological activity, molecular function, and signal transduction pathways using PANTHER (protein annotation through evolutionary relationship, http://www.pantherdb.org/) program. Results: As a result of proteomic analyses, 1873 different proteins were identified. Sixty- one different proteins changed significantly depending on the administration of TAK-063. According to PANTHER classification, a significant part of the identified proteins found to be in the metabolite interconversion enzyme, transporter, and protein modifying enzyme category. The molecular function classification includes the catalytic activity, transporter activity, and binding functions. The signal transduction pathway analysis demonstrated that PDE10A affects ATP synthesis, FGF signaling, EGF receptor signaling, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, pyrimidine metabolism, and ubiquitin-proteasome signal transduction pathways. Conclusion: TAK-063 mediated PDE10 deactivation is an essential target in the mech- anism of energy metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases

Development and calibration of a currency trading strategy using global optimization

We have developed a new financial indicator—called the Interest Rate Differentials Adjusted for Volatility (IRDAV) measure—to assist investors in currency markets. On a monthly basis, we rank currency pairs according to this measure and then select a basket of pairs with the highest IRDAV values. Under positive market conditions, an IRDAV based investment strategy (buying a currency with high interest rate and simultaneously selling a currency with low interest rate, after adjusting for volatility of the currency pairs in question) can generate significant returns. However, when the markets turn for the worse and crisis situations evolve, investors exit such money-making strategies suddenly, and—as a result—significant losses can occur. In an effort to minimize these potential losses, we also propose an aggregated Risk Metric that estimates the total risk by looking at various financial indicators across different markets. These risk indicators are used to get timely signals of evolving crises and to flip the strategy from long to short in a timely fashion, to prevent losses and make further gains even during crisis periods. Since our proprietary model is implemented in Excel as a highly nonlinear “black box” computational procedure, we use suitable global optimization methodology and software—the Lipschitz Global Optimizer solver suite linked to Excel—to maximize the performance of the currency basket, based on our selection of key decision variables. After the introduction of the new currency trading model and its implementation, we present numerical results based on actual market data. Our results clearly show the advantages of using global optimization based parameter settings, compared to the typically used “expert estimates” of the key model parameters.post-prin

Optimized calibration of currency market strategies

We propose a new financial indicator and risk metric embedded in a currency trading model to assist investors in currency markets. Since our model is highly nonlinear, we utilize global optimization technology to maximize the performance of the currency basket, based on our selection of key decision variables. We introduce the model and present numerical results based on actual market data

Kisspeptin levels in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism diagnosed male patients and its relation with glucose-insulin dynamic

WOS: 000390162300014PubMed ID: 27616469Male hypogonadism is defined as the deficiency of testosterone or sperm production synthesized by testicles or the deficiency of both. The reasons for hypogonadism may be primary, meaning testicular or secondary, meaning hypothalamohypophyseal. In hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), there is indeficiency in gonadotropic hormones due to hypothalamic or hypophyseal reasons. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is an important stimulant in releasing follicular stimulant hormone (FSH), mainly luteinizing hormone (LH). GnRH omitted is under the effect of many hormonal or stimulating factors. Kisspeptin is present in many places of the body, mostly in hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus. Kisspeptin has a suppressor effect on the metastasis of many tumors such as breast cancer and malign melanoma metastases, and is called "metastin'' for this reason. Kisspeptin is a strong stimulant of GnRH. In idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) etiology, there is gonadotropic hormone release indeficiency which cannot be clearly described. A total of 30 male hypogonatropic hypogonadism diagnosed patients over 30 years of age who have applied to Haydarpasa Education Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Service were included in the study. Compared to the control group, the effect of kisspeptin on male patients with hypogonatropic hypogonadism and on insulin resistance developing in hypogonadism patients was investigated in our study. A statistically significant difference was detected between average kisspeptin measurements of the groups (p < 0.01). Kisspeptin measurement of the cases in the patient group were detected significantly high. No statistically significant relation was detected among kisspeptin and LH/FSH levels. Although a positive low relation was detected between kisspeptin measurements of patient group cases and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) measurements, this relation was statistically insignificant. When the patient and control groups were compared for HOMA-IR, no statistically significant difference was detected. The reason for high kisspeptin levels in the patient group compared to the control group makes us consider that there may be a GPR54 resistance or GnRH neuronal transfer pathway defect. When patients and control groups were compared for HOMA-IR, the difference was not statistically significant. It is considered that kisspeptin is one of the reasons for hypogonatropic hypogonadism and has less effect on insulin resistance

Structural switching aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for mycotoxin patulin detection

In this study, an electrochemical and aptamer-based aptasensor was developed for the sensitive detection of patulin, a mycotoxin commonly found in fruits and fruit-based products. The aptasensor used an innovative structural switching signal-off platform for detecting patulin. The aptamer immobilization on screen-printed carbon electrodes was achieved through Au electrodeposition and thiol group (-SH) route. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal incubation times for the aptamer, blocking agent, and target molecule, which were found to be 180 min, 40 min, and 89 min, respectively. The response of the aptamer to different concentrations of patulin was measured using square wave voltammetry by exploiting the structural switching mechanism. The sensor response was determined by quantifying differences in the aptasensor's background current. The aptasensor exhibited a linear working range of 1–25 μM and a low detection limit of 3.56 ng/mL for patulin. The aptasensor's relative standard deviation and accuracy were determined to be 0.067 and 94.4%, respectively. A non-specific interaction was observed at low concentrations of two other mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone. The interference from ochratoxin A in the measurements was below 10%. In real sample tests using apple juice, interference, particularly at low concentrations, had changed the recovery of patulin negatively with a significant effect on the structural switching behavior. Nevertheless, at a concentration of 25 ng/mL, the interference effect was eliminated, and the recovery standard deviation improved to 6.6%. The aptasensor's stability was evaluated over 10 days, and it demonstrated good performance, retaining 13.12% of its initial response. These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed electrochemical aptasensor for the sensitive detection of patulin in fruit-based products, with prospects for application in food safety and quality control

The Effect of Obturator Nerve Blockade on Oncological Outcomes of Patients with Lateral Wall Localized Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Objective:To investigate the effect of obturator nerve blockade on oncological outcomes of patients with a diagnosis of lateral wall localized non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Materials and Methods:One hundred six patients diagnosed with lateral wall localized non-invasive bladder cancer were evaluated between January 2015 and March 2020 in this retrospective, cross-sectional observational study. The patients were divided into two groups: patients receiving only spinal anesthesia and those receiving spinal anesthesia combined with ultrasound-guided obturator nerve blockade. Oncological outcomes of the groups were compared statistically.Results:We observed recurrent tumors in 25 patients (45.5%) in Group 1 and 11 patients (21.6%) in Group 2. Additionally, we observed tumor progression in eight patients (14.5%) in Group 1 and two patients (3.9%) in Group 2. We observed statistical significance in differences between groups regarding tumor size, recurrence rate, adequate muscle tissue sampling, ability for complete resection, and persistent obturator reflex. The efficacy rate of obturator blockade was 92.1% in Group 2. One-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 98.0% and 5-year RFS was 23.5% for Group 1, while for Group 2, they were 97.4% and 57.2%, respectively.Conclusion:The obturator reflex is a common and challenging reflex that may cause major complications and result in unintended consequences, such as incomplete resection or tumor recurrence with transurethral resection of bladder tumors. In this study, we demonstrated that combining spinal anesthesia with obturator nerve blockade for lateral wall localized non-muscle invasive bladder cancer may prevent tumor recurrence and reduce peroperative complications

False negative effect of high triglycerides concentration on vitamin D levels: A big data study

Background: Inaccurate test results may be a reason why vitamin D deficiency is seen as a common problem worldwide. Interferences from the sample matrix during testing are the most important factors in measurement errors. In this study, the relationship between triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and vitamin D levels in Turkey was investigated. Methods: The 25-hydroxyvitamin D test results and lipid test results studied in Turkey in 2021 were compared. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health National Health Database. Simultaneously, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were studied, and 1,135,644 test results were taken as the basis. Results: In the group of patients with total cholesterol levels between 0-10.33 mmol/L, the proportion of patients below 20 mg/L ranged from 56.8% to 61.8%. In the patient group with cholesterol between 10.36-259 mmol/L, the rate of patients with less than 20 mg/L was between 70.8-100%, while the rate of patients with cholesterol above 100 mg/L was 0%. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 20.1 mg/L in the patient group with a total cholesterol level between 0-10.33 mmol/L, and 16 mg/L in the patient group with a cholesterol level above 10.36 mmol/L. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 20.11 mg/L in the patient group with triglycerides 0-10.16 mmol/L, and the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 12.28 mg/L in the patient group with triglycerides 10.17-113 mmol/L. The proportion of patients with vitamin D levels above 100 mg/L was found to be 0% in the group of patients with triglycerides above 10.17-113 mmol/L. Conclusions: According to this study, there is a risk of toxicity when administering vitamin D therapy in patients with high cholesterol and triglycerides levels. This study is the first of this size in the literature. High triglycerides and cholesterol levels can cause inaccurate measurement of vitamin D levels, so care should be taken when evaluating these tests