Sovereign wealth funds: A comparison of the Turkish sovereign wealth fund with the world samples

Sovereign wealth funds represent unity of assets that are directly or indirectly under public control and whose investments are largely concentrated across borders. Strategic objectives of the sovereign wealth funds are accumulating income surpluses for future generations or restoring the economic order and stabilizing it over the years when volatility is intense. Turkey decided the establishment of sovereign wealth fund in 2016. In this study, firstly, information on the practices of sovereign wealth funds is given. Then, the differences between the Turkish Sovereign Wealth Fund and existing samples are revealed. As a result, criticisms have been brought about the establishment and the operation process of the Turkish Sovereign Wealth Fund. Recommendations regarding the structure of the audit system and the management organization have been presented. The Turkish Sovereign Wealth Fund is a strategic step for Turkey, if it is managed properly, transparent and reliable

Effect of free fange production system on slower-growing broiler carcass characteristics and meat quality [Yavaş gelişen etlik piliçlerin karkas özelliklerine ve et kalitesine serbest yetiştirme sisteminin etkisi]

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of deep litter system, free-range with fixed housing system and free-range with portable housing system in wheat stubble on carcass characteristics and meat quality of slow-growing broiler chickens. The number of 270 slow-growing Hubbard Isa Red-JA chicks was used in experiment. Number of 12 slow-growing broilers from each production system and totally 36 slow-growing broilers was selected for detection of carcass and meat quality characteristics. Results showed that production system has a significant effect on carcass yield, leg and wing ratios (P0.05). Production system was also not effected in terms of pH, color, protein content, fat, ash, dry matter and water holding capacity of breast meat (P>0.05), but has a significant effect in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids of breast meat (P0.05). Free-range with fixed housing system has an advantage than other systems in terms of nutrient content, polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acid miristoleik acit of breast meat

Effects of the drying temperature on essential oil content of bay leaf (Laurus nobilis L.) harvested at different times

Bay leaf essential oil is one of the main products from bay trees that are used in food, spice, flavoring and cosmetic industries. Drying is an important post-harvesting process, which affects the essential oil content and the quality of bay leaf. In the present study, the effects of drying temperatures on the essential oil contents of bay leaf harvested at different times were studied. The leaves were harvested in the months of October, December, January, February, April and June and then dried in the cabinet dryer at 35, 50, 65 and 80°C for 12 hours. The essential oil contents in dried bay leaf samples were determined by hydrodistillation. According to our results, essential oil contents of dried bay leaves varied from 2.02% to 3.02% by different harvesting time and drying temperatures. The highest values were obtained in 35 and 50°C drying temperatures for the October harvest. Higher drying temperatures caused greater loss in the essential oil content

Application of amniotic membrane in ocular surface diseases: Clinical features and treatment outcomes [Oküler yüzey rekonstrüksiyonunda amniyon zarı uygulamaları: Klinik özellikler ve tedavi sonuçları]

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of amniotic membrane transplantation in cases with corneal thinning, desmatocele and refractive corneal ulcer. Material and Method: Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients who were applied amniotic membrane transplantation for various ocular surface disease between January 2004 and February 2009 in Çukurova University Ophthalmology Department were included in the study. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed. Corneal culture and corneal cytology samples were collected from the patients with the diagnosis of corneal ulcers. The patients were informed about the surgical procedure and the possible complications and informed consent was obtained. The amniotic membranes that were prepared under optimal conditions and protected in frozen forms were used in the operations. Follow-up examinations were done at postoperative 1st day, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and then once in a year. Results: Of 54 patients, 26 (48.1%) were men and 28 (51.8%) were women. The mean age of patients was 52.53±19.75 (2-87) years. The cases were separated into 2 groups according to the etiology: group 1 - eyes with corneal ulcer (n:26) and group 2 - eyes with corneal stromal thinning, persistent epithelial defects and desmatocel (n:28). The transplantations were performed using cover technique in 17 eyes (31.4%), graft technique in 37 eyes (68.5%) and graft technique with corneal patch in 2 eyes (3.7%). Partial penetrating keratoplasty was required in 38 of 54 eyes (70.3%). One eye was enucleated. Discussion: The amniotic membrane transplantation has advantages like: it can be prepared easily and is cost-effective. It is a safe and effective procedure in ocular surface disease

An unexpected delayed complication of cataract surgery: Retinal detachment secondary to capsular tension ring dislocation

We aim to present a case of retinal detachment secondary to capsular tension ring dislocation following cataract surgery. A 45-year-old man who underwent cataract surgery 2 years previously presented with decreased vision in his left eye. The patient's posterior capsule was intact with a well-located posterior chamber intraocular lens. Fundus examination revealed retinal detachment with retinal tears, and a capsular tension ring located around the tear was noticed during pars plana vitrectomy; it was removed through the sclerotomy site. In conclusion, dislocation of the capsular tension ring is a rare and unexpected complication of cataract surgery. Although the integrity of the posterior lens capsule is partially preserved, the ring may shift through a small tear in the bag even during its placement, and may cause retinal tears, retinal detachment or just remain silently suspended in the vitreous. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Seasonal and diurnal variability of essential oil and its components in Origanum onites L. grown in the ecological conditions of Çukurova

Turkish Oregano (Origanum onites L.) is one of the most commonly collected from nature as well as cultivated Origanum species in Turkey. In addition, Turkish Oregano is the most exported Origanum species from Turkey to the entire World. In this study, the seasonal and diurnal variability of the essential oil content in Origanum onites L. grown in the ecological conditions of Cukurova was studied from September 2000-August 2001. Monthly variability of the essential oil composition was also studied. The plant cuttings collected from the region were rooted in the greenhouse and transferred to the field in a split plot design with three replications. One year later from transplanting, fresh leaves from the top shoots were collected every week three times a day on Monday (at 08.00, 12.00 and 16.00 o'clock) throughout the year. The content and composition of the essential oil were analysed in fresh leaf samples by hydrodistillation. The essential oil content changed according to the seasons and the hour of day. The highest essential oil content (% 1.92) was found in the post-flowering -at the beginning of the seed formation period in the afternoon harvests during the second half of June (40th week). The essential oil composition varied monthly and the highest value (% 73.65) of carvacrol, the main component of the essential oil, was obtained from the flowering period in May

Natural parasitism of Chrysoperla carnea by hymenopterous parasitoids in cotton-growing areas of Çukurova, Turkey

A 4-year study of parasitoids attacking Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) in the cotton fields of Çukurova, Turkey, revealed the activities of three principal taxa: Telenomus sp. nr. suvae attacks the eggs of C. carnea: Catolaccus sp. and Baryscapus sp. are larval and pupal parasitoids, respectively. In general, percent egg parasitism increased starting from the second half of June and into July, then decreased until the beginning of August before rising again at the end of growing season. During the early season, weekly parasitism was found to be as high as 94%. Overall, seasonal egg parasitism varied between 13.6% and 62.0% among all study sites. According to the results of a one-year field study at Haciali, total larval and pupal parasitism was found to be 12.5% and 55.6%, respectively. Therefore, different factors influencing the effectiveness of the generalist predator C. carnea against cotton pests, and the differential effects of cotton treatments on both host and parasitoids, need to be evaluated.National Council for Scientific Research: TUBITAK-TOGTAG/TARP-1 783We thank Dr. Steve Castle (Western Cotton Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Phoenix, Arizona, USA) and Dr. Dan Gerling (Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel) for their valuable suggestions on an early version of the manuscript. We are also indebted to Drs. Andrew Polaszek (The Natural History Museum, London, UK), Edward E. Grissell and Michael E. Schauff (USDA-ARS, Systematic Entomology Lab., Beltsville, MD, USA) for the parasitoid identifications. We appreciate the work of two anonymous reviewers who provided valuable comments. This work was supported by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-TOGTAG/TARP-1 783)

The correlation of clinical findings and macular changes detected by optical coherence tomography in patients with uveitis [Üveitlerde optik koherens tomografide tespit edilen maküler degişikliklerin klinik bulgular ile i·lişkisi]

Purpose: To evaluate the optical coherence tomography (OCT) changes in uveitis patients with macular involvement and to investigate the correlation between clinical activation and tomographic features. Material and Method: Patients who have been followed for uveitis in Uvea-Behçet department were enrolled in the study. Patients having any kind of media opacity (cataract, condensation of vitreous, corneal opacity) were excluded. Main outcome measures were visual acuity, macular thickness, and the integrity of the photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction during active and inactive period of the disease. Results: Twenty-six eyes of 19 (7 females, 12 males) patients were included. The patients were classified as having anterior uveitis (2 patients), posterior uveitis (10 patients) and panuveitis (7 patients). The mean macular thickness was 335.38±113.88 µm in active stage and 235.96±48.38 µm in remission phase. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.025). The integrity of photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction was disturbed in 65% of patients with active disease, while in 30.8%, the integrity of this layer was regained during remission. Discussion: OCT provides clinically important information about the changes induced by acute inflammatory episodes. These findings were observed to correlate with clinical features. OCT is a non-invasive technique which may be used for follow-up and for evaluation of the response to treatment of patients with uveitis

Studies on the population dynamics of Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Homopt., Aleyrodidae) in Çukurova, Turkey

Populations of adult B. tabaci were studied by aid of sticky yellow traps and populations of immatures on leaf samples as well on the foothills of the Taurus mountains as in different crops in the Çukurova plain. The investigations yielded the following results: The bulk of the B. tabaci population hibernates outside the Çukurova plain on the foothills on Cistus spp. which are the main winter hosts. In spring, from April onwards B. tabaci migrates into the cultivated area. Fields which are situated near the hibernation sites are infested first and in relatively highest density. Fields located farther off follow with a delay of 2–5 weeks. Several vegetables - e. g. potato, watermelon, cucumber - and weeds - e. g. Convolvulus sp. and Xanthium pensylvanicum - are used by B. tabaci as spring hosts. Cotton is colonized directly from the winter host. There was no relationship between the severity of cotton infestation and the distance between cotton fields and fields of spring crops. Apparently B. tabaci does not need the presence of spring crops in order to cause severe outbreaks in cotton. Population density remains low until end of July as well in cotton as in other crops, thereafter it starts to increase. This increase coincides with the closing of the canopy and repetitive irrigation. In August-September large numbers of adults are present throughout Çukurova as well as on the foothills. During this time, the main oviposition on the winter host starts. Populationsdynamische Untersuchungen an Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Homopt., Aleyrodidae) in Çukurova, Türkei Die Weiße Fliege Bemisia tabaci ist einer der gefährlichsten Baumwollschädlinge in der Çukurova/Türkei. Ihre Populationsdynamik während und außerhalb der Baumwollanbauperiode wurde mit Hilfe von zwei Methoden verfolgt: a. gelben Klebfallen zum Fang der Imagines, die in verschiedenen Teilen des Untersuchungsgebiets aufgestellt wurden, b. Untersuchungen von Blattproben verschiedener Kultur- und Wildpflanzen auf das Auftreten von Entwicklungsstadien. Die Untersuchungen ergaben folgendes: Die Hauptmasse der Population überwintert außerhalb des kultivierten Gebiets der Çukurova in den Ausläufern des Taurusgebirges auf Cistus-Arten, die die wichtigsten Winterwirte darstellen. Ab April wandert B. tabaci in das Kulturland ein. Felder, die nahe dem Überwinterungsgebiet liegen, werden zuerst und in relativ höchster Populationsdichte besiedelt. Weiter abgelegene Felder werden mit 2–5 Wochen Verzögerung erreicht. Verschiedene Gemüsearten - z. B. Kartoffeln, Wassermelonen, Gurke - und Unkräuter - z. B. Convolvulus sp. und Xanthium pensylvanicum - dienen B. tabaci als Frühjahrswirte. Sobald die Baumwolle aufgelaufen ist, wird auch sie besiedelt, und zwar noch bevor sich auf den Frühjahrswirten die ersten Adulten entwickelt haben, - also direkt vom Winterwirt her. Es zeigte sich kein Zusammenhang zwischen der Befallsstärke und der Distanz zum nächsten Feld mit Frühjahrswirten. Offensichtlich benötigt B. tabaci keine Frühjahrskulturen als “Bnicke” zur Baumwolle. Die Populationsdichte bleibt bis Ende Juli sowohl auf Baumwolle als auch auf anderen Kulturen relativ niedrig; danach nimmt sie stark zu. Dieser Dichteanstieg trifft zeitlich mit dem Bestandesschluß der Baumwolle und der ersten Bewässerung zusammen. Im August/September treten allenthalben in der Çukurova, aber auch in den Gebirgsausläufern große Schwärme von adulten B. tabaci auf. In dieser Periode findet die stärkste Eiablage auf dem Winterwirt Cistus statt. 1989 Blackwell Verlag Gmb

Interactions between two introduced species of whiteflies in the mediterranean area of Turkey: Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) and Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana) (Hom., Aleyrodidae)

Two introduced species of citrus whiteflies, Dialeurodes citri and Parabemisia myricae met in the east mediterranean area of Turkey and proved to be ecological homologues. P. myricae is the superior competitor on account of its faster development and broader ecological niche and started to replace D. citri. After a most effective parasitoid of P. myricae, the aphelinid Eretmocerus debachi was released and successfully suppressed this species, D. citri recovered and became dominant even in regions where it had not been present before. In this way the otherwise excellent economic success of the biological control of P. myricae was partly reduced. 1994 Blackwell Verlag Gmb