Bribery and Its Welfare Effects in First-Price Sealed-Bid Auctions

I study an auction in which the auctioneer, an agent of the seller, approaches all the bidders and tells them that if they pay a bribe and if they submit the highest bid, he will change their bid so that they only have to pay the second-highest bid. In equilibrium, only bidders who have valuations higher than some critical value pay the bribe, and they bid their valuations. Corruption has no effect on either the efficiency of the auction or the expected payoffs of the bidders. However, bribery results in a transfer of wealth from the seller to the auctioneer.Publisher's Versio

EXAMINATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PERFORMANCES OF THE CANDIDATES ENTERING THE SPORTS TESTS IN POLICE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CENTERS

The purpose of this research is to examine the psychological performance levels of applicants, who prepared for sports tests in Police Vocational Education Centers in Kayseri. 427 applicants, who have been randomly selected, have voluntarily participated in the research. As data collection tools for the research, the Psychological performance Scale which was developed by Loehr J.E. and the Personal Information Form which was prepared by the researcher have been applied. The obtained data has been statistically analyzed via SPSS20.0 package program. The personal information of the applicants and the total score of inventory and total factor scores (f) and percent value have been determined and shown. To compare them with regarding gender the statistics of Mann-Whitney U test have been applied while statistical outputs of Kruskal Wallis test have been applied in order to make comparison with considering their Public Personnel Selection Examination (PPSE) scores, departments that they graduated, educational status of their parents and neighborhoods where they live. As a result of the statistical analyses; when the psychological performance levels of the applicants have been examined, there is no statistically significant difference in accordance with gender while there are statistically significant differences in accordance with (PPSE) scores, departments that they graduated, educational status of their parents and neighborhoods/residences where they live. Consequently, with considering psychological performance of applicants who prepare for sports tests of police vocational training centers it has been expected to contribute to making right choices. Policing is a profession in which the profession requires physical toughness as well as psychological performance. Therefore, in the entrance exams for police vocational education centers, applying psychological performance and psychological tests in addition to sports tests should be considered.  Article visualizations

EXAMINATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PERFORMANCES OF THE CANDIDATES ENTERING THE SPORTS TESTS IN POLICE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CENTERS

The purpose of this research is to examine the psychological performance levels of applicants, who prepared for sports tests in Police Vocational Education Centers in Kayseri. 427 applicants, who have been randomly selected, have voluntarily participated in the research. As data collection tools for the research, the Psychological performance Scale which was developed by Loehr J.E. and the Personal Information Form which was prepared by the researcher have been applied. The obtained data has been statistically analyzed via SPSS20.0 package program. The personal information of the applicants and the total score of inventory and total factor scores (f) and percent value have been determined and shown. To compare them with regarding gender the statistics of Mann-Whitney U test have been applied while statistical outputs of Kruskal Wallis test have been applied in order to make comparison with considering their Public Personnel Selection Examination (PPSE) scores, departments that they graduated, educational status of their parents and neighborhoods where they live. As a result of the statistical analyses; when the psychological performance levels of the applicants have been examined, there is no statistically significant difference in accordance with gender while there are statistically significant differences in accordance with (PPSE) scores, departments that they graduated, educational status of their parents and neighborhoods/residences where they live. Consequently, with considering psychological performance of applicants who prepare for sports tests of police vocational training centers it has been expected to contribute to making right choices. Policing is a profession in which the profession requires physical toughness as well as psychological performance. Therefore, in the entrance exams for police vocational education centers, applying psychological performance and psychological tests in addition to sports tests should be considered.  Article visualizations

The effect of systemic therapies on hemogram parameters and C-reactive protein in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Background and Design: Although some inflammatory markers were elevated in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to healthy controls, are few studies evaluated the effects of systemic treatments for PsA on these markers. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in hemogram parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) in PsA patients receiving systemic therapies. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, hemogram parameters, CRP, and systemic inflammation indices [neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI)] of 50 PsA patients were analyzed before and in the third month of the treatments. Results: While mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and hemoglobin (Hb) were higher in the third month of all treatments compared to the baseline (p=0.009, 0.003, and 0.036, respectively), platelet, CRP and SII were lower (p=0.001, 0.000, and 0.000, respectively). In the biological therapy group (n=21), platelet, SIRI, and SII were lower, while MCHC was higher in the third month than baseline (p=0.023, 0.033, 0.000, and 0.003, respectively). CRP and SII were lower in the third month of the non-biologic treatment group (n=29) compared to the baseline, and MCH and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were higher (p=0.001, 0.000, 0.027, and 0.044, respectively). No statistically different changes were recorded in NLR, PLR, and other parameters. Conclusion: Hb, MCH, and MCHC increased, and platelet, CRP, and SII decreased in the third month of all systemic therapies. MCV was higher in the non-biologic treatment group, and SIRI was lower in the biological treatment group in the third month than baseline. Therefore, these parameters may be useful for monitoring the effects of treatments in PsA

Diabetes mellitus and peripheral organs involvement: Current treatment options

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and multi-systemic disease with various treatment options and has long-term effect on lifestyle of individuals and society. Not only disesase itself but also damage to peripherical organs as a result of disease in long term is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this review study it has been aimed to assess complications caused by peripherical organ involvment and treatment options rather than those caused by diabetes mellitus itself. J Clin Exp Invest 2014; 5 (2): 329-33

Effect of positive pressure therapy on endothelial dysfunction, blood pressure and renal fuctions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

YÖK Tez No: 406828Giriş ve Amaç: Günlük yaşantımızın yaklaşık üçte birini geçirdiğimiz uyku sağlıklı bir yaşam için vazgeçilmez bir süreçtir. Uykuda gözlenen hastalıkların önemli bir grubunu uykuda solunum bozuklukları oluşturmaktadır. Bunlar içerisinde en yaygın görülen obstrüktif uyku apne sendromu (OSAS)'dur. Hava yolu tıkanıklığına bağlı olarak oluşan patolojiler ve bu patolojilere karşı organizmanın vermiş olduğu yanıta bağlı olarak başta kardiovasküler sistem olmak üzere, birçok organ ve sistem etkilenmektedir. Bu çalışmada OSAS semptomları nedeniyle ilk kez polisomnografi (PSG) uygulanan ve OSAS tanısı konulan hastaların böbrek fonksiyonlarını, ambulatuvar kan basıncı izlemlerini (AKBİ), endotel disfonksiyon göstergesi olarak serum asimetrik dimetilarjinin (ADMA) düzeylerini, rutin biyokimya ve hemogram tetkiklerinin sağlıklı gönüllü (SG)'lerle olan farkını ve sürekli pozitif havayolu basıncı (CPAP) tedavisiyle bu parametrelerdeki değişimi göstermeyi amaçladık. Hastalar ve Metod: Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi Uyku Laboratuvarı'nda Eylül 2013-Ocak 2015 tarihleri arasında ilk kez tanı amaçlı PSG uygulanan erişkin yaş grubundaki 233 hasta değerlendirildi. PSG sonucuna göre OSAS tanısı konulan ve CPAP tedavisi planlanan 54 hasta çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hastalar AHİ, pozisyon ve REM oranlarına göre; 25'i Pozisyonel/Rem bağımlı (Grup 1) 7'si orta (Grup 2), 22'si ağır (Grup 3) olarak 3 gruba ayrıldı. Çalışmayı tamamlayan 39 hasta [Grup 1 (n=17), Grup 2 (n=7), Grup 3 (n=15)] istatiksel değerlendirmeye alındı. Ayrıca kontrol grubu için tanıklı apnesi olmayan 15 sağlıklı gönüllü çalışmaya alındı. Bütün hastaların ve sağlıklı gönüllülerin böbrek fonksiyon testleri, AKBİ, ADMA düzeyleri, rutin biyokimya ve hemogram tetkikleri bakıldı. Üç ay CPAP tedavisi sonrası tetkikler tekrarlanarak tedavi öncesiyle karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular: Hasta gruplarında SG'lere kıyasla kreatinin anlamlı yüksekti ancak CPAP tedavisiyle değişim izlenmedi. Proteinüri bakımından hasta grupları sağlıklı gönüllülerle benzerdi ve CPAP tedavisiyle değişiklik izlenmedi. Grup 3 hastaların ALT ve AST düzeyi normal sınırlarda olmakla birlikte SG'lerden anlamlı derece yüksekti ancak CPAP tedavisiyle anlamlı bir değişiklik görülmedi. Hasta grupları ve SG'ler tedavi öncesinde bilirubin seviyeleri bakımından benzerdi, CPAP tedavisiyle Grup 1 ve Grup 2 hastaların indirekt bilirubin seviyelerinde anlamlı bir düşüş izlendi. Grup 3 hastaların tedavi öncesinde sistatin c düzeyi sağlıklı gönüllülerden anlamlı derecede yüksekti ve CPAP tedavisiyle anlamlı düşüş görüldü. Hasta grupları tedavi öncesi serum ADMA düzeyleri bakımından benzerdi ve tedaviyle değişim izlenmedi. Hasta gruplarında kreatinin tabanlı tahmini glomerul filtrasyon hızı (eGFHkr) tedavi öncesinde sağlıklı gönüllülerden daha düşüktü ve CPAP tedavisiyle değişiklik izlenmedi. Grup 3 hastaların tedavi öncesinde sistatin c tabanlı tahmini glomerul filtrasyon hızı (eGFHsis) düzeyi sağlıklı gönüllülerden anlamlı derecede düşüktü ve CPAP tedavisiyle anlamlı artış gösterdi. Grup 3 hastaların tedavi öncesinde gündüz ortalama kan basıncı ve gündüz sistolik kan basıncı sağlıklı gönüllülerden anlamlı derecede yüksekti ve CPAP tedavisiyle anlamlı düşüş gösterdi. Hasta grupları birlikte değerlendirildiğinde nondipper kan basıncı %64,7 idi. Tedavi öncesinde nondipper kan basıncı olanların %72'sinde tedaviden sonra dipper kan basıncı saptandı. Sonuç: OSAS birçok organ ve sistemi etkileyen, yaşam kalitesini bozan ve günlük performansı düşüren mortalite ve morbiditeyi arttıran sistemik bir hastalıktır. Bu çalışmada OSAS'lu hastalarda eGFHkr'nın azaldığını, ağır OSAS grubunda sistatin c'nin arttığını, OSAS'lularda nondipper kan basıncının yüksek sıklıkta görüldüğü ve karaciğer fonksiyon testlerinde bozulma olduğu izlendi. CPAP tedavisinin eGFHkr'nı etkilemediği, sistatin c düzeylerini düşürdüğü, eGFHsis'nı arttırdığı, nondipper kan basıncını düzelttiği görüldü.Introduction and Aim: Sleep, constituting about one-third of our daily life, is an essential process for a healthy life. An important group of sleep-related disorders observed during sleep is respiratory disorders. Among these, most commonly seen is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Depending on the pathologies of the airway obstruction and the response given by the organism against this pathologies, foremost cardiovascular, affecting many organs and systems constitutes. In this study, we aimed to show the renal functions, ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM), serum asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction and the difference in blood chemistry and complete blood count between healthy volunteers (HV) as well as the change in the parameters with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients whom polysomnography (PSG) performed for the first time due to OSAS symptoms and diagnosed as OSAS. Materials and Methods: 233 adults patients who received diagnostic PSG for the first time in Duzce University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Sleep Laboratory between September 2013 and January 2015 were evaluated. 54 patients who were diagnosed OSAS according to the results of PSG, scheduled for CPAP therapy were included in the study. 54 patients were divided into 3 groups according to their AHI, position and REM rates; 25 Positional/Rem dependent (Group 1), 7 medium (Group 2), 22 severe (Group 3). 39 patients who completed the study [Group 1 (n = 17), group 2 (n = 7), Group 3 (n = 15)] were included in the statistical evaluation. In addition, 15 healthy volunteers without apnea were enrolled in the study as the control group. Renal function tests, ABPM, ADMA levels, complete blood count and routine biochemistry tests were performed to all patients and healthy volunteers. After three months of CPAP treatment, tests were repeated and compared with pre-treatment results. Results: Creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients compared to HVs, but no change was observed with CPAP therapy. Patient groups were similar with healthy volunteers in terms of proteinuria and remained same after CPAP therapy. Group 3 patients being within the normal range of ALT and AST levels were significantly higher than HVs, but did not show significant change with CPAP therapy. Patient groups were similar in terms of bilirubin levels with HVs and secondary to treatment with CPAP, significant decrease in unconjugated bilirubin levels were seen in Group 1 and Group 2. Cystatin C levels of Group 3 were significantly higher than healthy volunteers before treatment and significant decrease was seen with CPAP therapy. Patient groups were similar in baseline serum ADMA levels and did not show change with treatment. Creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate eGFRcr levels of patients were lower than healthy volunteers before treatment and no change was observed with CPAP treatment. Cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcyc) levels of Group 3 were significantly lower than healthy volunteers before treatment but increased significantly after CPAP therapy. Pre-treatment average daytime mean arterial blood pressure and average daytime systolic blood pressure of Group 3 was significantly higher than healthy volunteers and showed meaningful decline with CPAP treatment. When the patient groups were evaluated, non-dipper blood pressure was 64.7%. 72% of non-dippers had dipper blood pressure after treatment. Conclusion: OSAS is a systemic disease that affects many organs and systems, impairs quality of life, and reduces the daily performance and increases morbidity and mortality. In this study, we found out lower eGFRcr levels in patients with OSAS, increase in Cystatin C levels in severe OSAS group, high non-dipper hypertension prevalence in OSAS patients and deterioration in liver function tests. In addition, CPAP treatment did not influence eGFRcr, lowered Cystatin C levels, increased eGFRcyc and improved non-dipper blood pressure

The effect of medical care on health capital

This paper analyzes the effect of medical care on the stock of health capital by estimating the health investment production function. An ordered probit model for the stock of health with instrumental variables is estimated using the Two-Stage Residual Inclusion method. We argue that risk tolerance and the opportunity cost of time are suitable instruments for the change in medical care consumption. In contrast to majority of the empirical work, which does not uncover that medical care has a positive effect on the stock of health, the results suggest that physician visits significantly increases the probability of excellent health (or decreases the probability of poor health), in accordance with Grossman’s (1972a) demand for health capital model.Publisher's Versio

STUDY ON THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

Bu çalışmada, süper akışkanlaştırıcı katkı maddesinin, endüstriyel bir atık olan silis dumanı mineral katkısının ve çelik lifin betonun basınç dayanımına ve yarmada çekme dayanımı ile doğrudan çekme dayanımına olan etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu malzemelerle üretilen beton numunelerin basınç ve çekme etkisi altındaki davranışları şahit beton numuneler ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Bu malzemelerin betonun basınç ve çekme dayanımına katkısının hangi mertebede olacağı araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla C30/37 beton sınıfında şahit beton, süper akışkanlaştırıcı (SA) katkılı beton, silis dumanı (SD) katkılı beton ve çelik lifli beton karışımları üretilmiştir. Deneylerde PÇ 42,5 R çimentosu kullanılmış ve su/çimento oranı 0,51 olarak sabit tutulmuştur. SA katkılı beton dışındaki karışımlarda da slump değeri 10-12 cm arasında sabit tutulmuştur. SD katkılı karışımda SD % 10 oranında çimento ile ikame edilmiş, SA katkılı karışımda da ağırlıkça % 1 oranında SA kullanılmıştır. Çelik Lifli karışımda ise 45 kg/m3 oranında çelik lif ilave edilmiştir. Her bir karışımdan 27 adet olmak üzere toplamda 108 adet 15 cm çaplı, 30 cm yükseklikli silindir numune üretilmiş ve bu numuneler 3,7,14 ve 28 gün süreyle laboratuar kürüne tabi tutulmuştur. Numuneler üzerinde basınç dayanımı, yarmada çekme dayanımı, doğrudan çekme dayanımı ve elastisite modülü deneyleri yapılmış ve elde edilen sonuçlar birbirleri ile karşılaştırılmıştır. 28 günlük numunelerde en yüksek basınç dayanımı ve doğrudan çekme dayanımı çelik lifli betondan, en yüksek yarmada çekme dayanımı ve elastisite modülü de SD katkılı betondan elde edilmiştir.In this study, the effects of super plasticizer additive, silica fume and steel fiber on the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and direct tensile strength of concrete are investigated. .The compressive and tensile strengths of the specimens produced with these materials are compared with reference concrete specimens. İt is investigated how much these materials contribute to the tensile strength of concrete and compressive strength of concrete. Concrete mixtures including reference concrete class C30/37, super-plasticizer, silica fume and steel fiber are produced in order to find the contribution. PC 42.5 R cement is used in the experiments and the water/cement ratio is kept constant at 0.51. The slump value is kept constant between 10-12 cm except the concrete mixture including super plasticizer. In the mixture including silica fume, silica fume is replaced with 10 percent of cement, as in the mixture including super plasticizer, super plasticizer is added at the rate of 1 percent of cement. Steel fiber is added at the rate of 45 kg/m3 to prepare the mixture including steel fibers. Because 27 specimens are produced for each mixture, it makes 108 cylindrical specimens with 15 cm diameter and 30 cm height for four mixtures. All the specimens are kept in the standard cure conditions until the testing day. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, direct tensile strength and elastic modulus tests are conducted and the results are compared with each other. Maximum compressive strength and direct tensile strength results areobtained from steel fiber concrete specimens. Maximum splitting tensile strength and modulus of elasticity results are obtained from the specimens including silica fume addition

Performance investigation of Saw-Gin ginning machines-theoretical approach

Saw-Gin çırçır makinalarında lif pamuk, Roller-Gin makinalarındaki rulo yerine testere ile çekilerek kütlü pamuktan ayrılmaktadır. Çırçırlama işlemi silindirik bir tambur üzerinde dizilmiş bulunan çok sayıdaki testere ve sabit kaburgalar (ızgaralar) arasında gerçekleşir. Bu çalışmada Saw-Gin çırçır makinası ünitelere ayrılarak, çalışma prensibi teorik olarak incelenmiştir. Seperatör (kütlü pamuk sevk ünitesi) için teorik modeller oluşturulmuştur. Bu modeller yardımıyla boyutsuz sistem parametreleri elde edilmiştir. Bu parametrelerin makina çalışmasına veya performansına etkileri araştırılmıştır.Cotton fibers are seperated from the raw cotton by Saw-Gin machines instead of rollers in Roller-Gin machines. The ginning process is performed between the number of ribs and saw situated on the cylindrical rotor. In this study, the working principle of Saw-Gin ginning machine has been investigated by considering different units. Theoretical models for seperator have been developed. With the help of these models, the non-dimensional system parameters have been obtained. The effect of these parameters on the machine performance and working cycle has been examined

Performance investigation of Saw-Gin ginning machines- Theoretical approach

Saw- Gin çırçır makinalarında lif pamuk, Roller- Gin makinalarındaki rulo yerine testere ile çekilerek kütlü pamuktan ayrılmaktadır. Çırçırlama işlemi silindirik bir tambur üzerinde dizilmiş bulunan çok sayıdaki testere ve sabit kaburgalar (ızgaralar]arasında gerçekleşir. Bu çalışmada Saw- Gin çırçır makinası ünitelere ayrılarak,çalışma'prensibi teorik olarak incelenmiştir. Seperatör (kütlü pamuk sevk ünitesi] için teorik modeller oluşturulmuştur. Bu modeller yardımıyla boyutsuz sistem parametreleri elde edilmiştir. Bu parametrelerin,makina çalışmasına veya performansına etkileri araştırılmıştır.Cotton fibers are seperated from the raw cotton by Saw - Gin machines instead of Roller - Gin machines. The ginning process is performed between the number of ribs and saw situated on the cylindrical rotor. In this study, the working principle of Saw - Gin ginning machine has been investigated by considering different units. Theoretical models for separator have been developed. With the help of these models, the non - dimensional system parameters have been obtained. The effect of these parameters on the machine performance and working cycle has been examined