Convergence of Sectoral Productivity in Turkish Provinces: A Markov Chains Model

this study examines the role that sectors play in aggregate convergence of provincial labor productivity across the 67 provinces of turkey during the 1975-1990 period. a markov chain model is applied to characterize the long-run tendencies of productivity both at the aggregate and sectoral levels. in order to determine the likely sources of aggregate fluctuations, sectoral time-invariant distributions are compared with the aggregate distribution, and those sectors that exhibit similar distribution patterns as that of the aggregate distribution are characterized as dominant sectors. evidence strongly suggests that the aggregate time-invariant distribution is determined mainly by the agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors. specifically, the pattern of polarization of productivity levels in these three sectors is very similar to the pattern prevailing at the aggregate level. the results suggest that, in the long run, two convergence clubs are likely to emerge - one for the agricultural and another for the highly industrialized provinces. an exception is the service sector, which exhibits global convergence.convergence; aggregate and sectoral labor productivity; markov chains

The Family of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Artvin Hatila National Park of Turkey

The faunistical studies on the family Carabidae (Coleoptera) species in Artvin Hatila National Park in Turkey. In this study, totally 32 species belonging to Pterostichinae, Brachininae, Carabinae, Platyninae, Lebiinae, Nebriinae and Harpalinae subfamilies of Carabidae were collected from Artvin province during 2011-2014. Among these, Amara lucida Duftschmid, Amara aulica Panzer, Brachinus elegans Chaudoir, Brachinus crepitans Linné, Carabus scabrosus Olivier, Anisodactylus binotatus Fabricius, Carabus coriaceus Linnaeus, Carabus mulsantianus Paykull, Carabus graecus Dejean, Harpalus affinis Schrank, Harpalus caspius Panzer, Ophonus cribricollis Dejean, Ophonus azureus Fabricius, Ophonus subquadratus Dejean, Pterostichus anthracinum Illiger are the first records from Artvin

ABCG5 and ABCG8: More Than a Defense Against Xenosterols

The elucidation of the molecular basis of the rare disease, sitosterolemia, has revolutionized our mechanistic understanding of how dietary sterols are excreted and how cholesterol is eliminated from the body. Two proteins, ABCG5 and ABCG8, encoded by the sitosterolemia locus, work as obligate dimers to pump sterols out of hepatocytes and enterocytes. ABCG5/ABCG8 are key in regulating whole-body sterol trafficking, by eliminating sterols via the biliary tree as well as the intestinal tract. Importantly, these transporters keep xenosterols from accumulating in the body. The sitosterolemia locus has been genetically associated with lipid levels and downstream atherosclerotic disease, as well as formation of gallstones and the risk of gallbladder cancer. While polymorphic variants raise or lower the risks of these phenotypes, loss of function of this locus leads to more dramatic phenotypes, such as premature atherosclerosis, platelet dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia, and, perhaps, increased endocrine disruption and liver dysfunction. Whether small amounts of xenosterol exposure over a lifetime cause pathology in normal humans with polymorphic variants at the sitosterolemia locus remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this review will be to summarize the current state of knowledge, but also highlight key conceptual and mechanistic issues that remain to be explored

A remarkable new leaf-cutter bee from Thailand (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

This is the publisher's version, copyright by Akademie Verlag.A remarkable new species of leaf-cutter bee, Megachile trichorhytisma ENGEL sp. n., is described and figured from two males collected in northern Thailand. The species is placed in a new subgenus, Aethomegachile ENGEL & BAKER subgen. n., and is differentiated from previously known lineages of Megachile

The Western Hemisphere Trading Corporation; in Outline

One of the last frontiers of effective tax reduction exists in the exporting field. This device was specifically created by Congress to enable American corporations trading in foreign countries within the Western Hemisphere to compete with foreign corporations and has been approved by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. There is no federal law providing for the incorporation of Western Hemisphere Trade Corporations. The corporations are organized under applicable state law and qualify as Western Hemisphere Trade Corporations

Endoscopic Unroofing of a Choledochocele

A 42-year-old man with previous laparoscopic cholecystectomy was referred for further evaluation of recurrent acute pancreatitis. Secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a 16 mm × 11 mm T2 hyperintense cystic lesion at the major papilla (Figure 1). Upper endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) showed a 15 mm × 10 mm oval, intramural, subepithelial lesion at the major papilla (Figure 2). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed an 18-mm bulging lesion at the major papilla with normal overlying mucosa (Figure 3); injected contrast collected into a 16-mm cystic cavity (Figure 4). Findings were suggestive of type A choledochocele. A 10–12-mm freehand precut papillotomy was made with a monofilament needle-knife (Huibregtse Single-Lumen Needle Knife, Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN) using an ERBE VIO electrocautery system (ERBE USA; Marietta, GA). The incision was made as long as safely possible in an attempt to open the choledochocele completely and thus expose its walls and contents. We used a standard pull sphincterotome and ERBE electrocautery to perform the pancreatic sphincterotomy, followed by placement of a pancreatic stent. Biliary sphincterotomy was performed using the same technique (settings for needle-knife and pull sphincterotomies: Endocut I, blend current, effect 2/duration 2/interval 3). Biopsies of the inverted choledochocele showed biliary mucosa and duodenal columnar epithelium with inflammation and fibrosis, and no dysplasia. Follow-up ERCP at 4 weeks showed adequate unroofing of the choledochocele (Figure 5); the pancreatic stent was subsequently removed. The patient reported no recurrence of acute pancreatitis at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up intervals

Annular pancreas: endoscopic and pancreatographic findings from a tertiary referral ERCP center

Background and Aims Annular pancreas is a congenital anomaly whereby pancreatic tissue encircles the duodenum. Current knowledge of endoscopic findings of annular pancreas is limited to small case series. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic and pancreatographic findings of patients with annular pancreas at a large tertiary care ERCP center. Methods This is a retrospective observational study. Our Institutional Review Board–approved, prospectively collected ERCP database was queried for cases of annular pancreas. The electronic medical records were searched for patient and procedure-related data. Results From January 1, 1994, to December 31, 2016, 46 patients with annular pancreas underwent ERCP at our institution. Index ERCP was technically successful in 42 patients (91.3%), and technical success was achieved in all 46 patients (100%) after 2 attempts, when required. A duodenal narrowing or ring was found in most patients (n = 39, 84.8%), yet only 2 (4.3%) had retained gastric contents. Pancreas divisum was found in 21 patients (45.7%), 18 of which were complete divisum. Pancreatobiliary neoplasia was the indication for ERCP in 7 patients (15.2%). Pancreatographic findings consistent with chronic pancreatitis were noted in 15 patients (32.6%) at the index ERCP. Conclusion This is the largest series describing the endoscopic and pancreatographic findings of patients with annular pancreas. We found that 45.7% of patients had concurrent pancreas divisum. Endoscopic therapy was successful in most patients at our institution after 1 ERCP, and in all patients after a second ERCP. Nearly one-third of patients had findings consistent with chronic pancreatitis at the time of index ERCP. It is unclear whether this may be a feature of the natural history of annular pancreas

Convergence of sectoral productivity in Turkish provinces: Markov Chains model

This study examines the role that sectors play in aggregate convergence of provincial labor productivity across the 67 provinces of turkey during the 1975-1990 period. a markov chain model is applied to characterize the long-run tendencies of productivity both at the aggregate and sectoral levels. in order to determine the likely sources of aggregate fluctuations, sectoral time-invariant distributions are compared with the aggregate distribution, and those sectors that exhibit similar distribution patterns as that of the aggregate distribution are characterized as dominant sectors. evidence strongly suggests that the aggregate time-invariant distribution is determined mainly by the agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors. specifically, the pattern of polarization of productivity levels in these three sectors is very similar to the pattern prevailing at the aggregate level. the results suggest that, in the long run, two convergence clubs are likely to emerge - one for the agricultural and another for the highly industrialized provinces. an exception is the service sector, which exhibits global convergence