The Approach of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations to Turkish EU Membership with a Reference to the Helsinki Process: Constructive or Critical

ABSTRACT: The title of this thesis is “The Approach of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations to Turkish Membership to EU with a Reference to the Helsinki Process: Constructive or Critical”. The main question of this study is to place the role of NGOs in Turkish society and understanding their contribution to Turkey’s democratization process in the EU accession period, especially after the Helsinki Summit. For this end, the study attempts to answer questions like how Turkey can manage to be European, whether it has a sufficiently strong civil society, how a country that has suffered from a lack of civil actors participating in the democratic process could be accepted into the EU, and whether, and how, the country has changed since its application decades ago. In analyzing the role of Turkish civil society, this thesis establishes a general historical framework of Turkey’s relations with the European Union. This goes as far back as the European effect on the democratization efforts of the Ottoman Empire and continues through the early days of the Republic of Turkey. The study examines the role of Turkish NGOs in the country’s accession process into the EU, with reference to the Helsinki process of dialogue. The NGOs selected are TÜSİAD, MÜSİAD and İKV as three employer organizations; and TÜRK-İŞ, HAK-İŞ and DİSK as three worker confederations, which have been actively involved in Turkey’s membership to the EU. Choosing three organizations from each group aims at creating a fair balance between the employers and employees. With the start of negotiations and the intensifying relations with the EU, civil society and pressure groups, such as İKV, TÜSİAD, MÜSİAD, TÜRK-İŞ, HAK-İŞ and DİSK increased public support throughout organizations relating to EU accession. Words for Library Search: Turkey, European Union, Civil Societ

Investigation of Leisure Strategies of Sports Educated Students

In this study, it was aimed to investigate Leisure time strategies of sports educated students, who going to Fitness Centers. In addition to sports training, the effect of whether or not to compete as a contestant was also examined for Leisure Strategies. A total of 543 men on fitness centers filled up the Scala “Leisure Strategy Scale” before training. Independent t-test in paired comparisons and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in multiple comparisons and LSD tests were used to determine the difference. A statistically significant difference was found in the leisure strategy subscales and total score according to the age category of University of students (p <0.05). In leisure friendship, the scores of 20 years and under and 21-23 age groups are higher than in the 24 years old and above age group in case of temporary coping and mood improvement. A significant difference was found in all subscales and total scale scores in comparison of leisure strategy subscale and total scores according to income (p <0.05).Conclusion: In addition to sports education, leisure strategies of university students doing sports in Fitness centers differ according to age category and income status. It has that whether or not participating in competitions in sports training students, who going fitness Center does not have a different effect in terms of leisure strategies. In terms of leisure strategies, this study is recommended to be done according to the status of being an amateur and professional athlete in sports-inclined students

Developmental expression of p97/VCP (Valosin-containing protein) and Jab1/CSN5 in the rat testis and epididymis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a key player in regulating many cellular processes via proteasomal degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Recently published data show that Jab1/CSN5 interacts with p97/VCP and controls the ubiquitination status of proteins bound to p97/VCP in mouse and human cells. However, coexpression of p97/VCP and Jab1/CSN5 in the developing rat testis and epididymis has not previously been studied.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Testicular and epididymal tissues from 5-, 15-, 30-, and 60-day-old rats were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Colocalisation of proteins was determined by immunofluorescence microscopy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the 5-day-old rat testis, p97/VCP and Jab1/CSN5 were specifically expressed in gonocytes. The expression of p97/VCP and Jab1/CSN5 significantly increased at day 15 and was found in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells and spermatocytes. In 30- and 60-day-old rat testes, p97/VCP indicated moderate to strong expression in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, round and elongating spermatids. However, moderate to weak expression was observed in spermatocytes. Jab1/CSN5 showed strong expression in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, while relatively moderate expression was observed in round and elongating spermatids in 30- and 60-day-old rat testes. In contrast, in the epididymis, the expression of both proteins gradually increased from 5 to 60 days of age. After rats reached 2 weeks of age, the expression of both proteins was mostly restricted to the basal and principal cells of the caput epididymis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study suggests that p97/VCP and Jab1/CSN5 could be an important part of the UPS in the developing rat testis and epididymis and that both proteins may be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal epithelial functions.</p

Assessment of the relationship between a narrow fragmented QRS complex and coronary slow flow

Background: The coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon is a delayed antegrade progression of contrast agent to the distal branch of a coronary artery in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). A narrow fragmented QRS (fQRS) has been reported as a significant predictor of sudden cardiac death in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between a narrow fQRS on the admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and CSF on coronary angiography. Methods: This study included 165 consecutive patients (112 CSF, 53 controls) who underwent first-time diagnostic conventional coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Coronary flow was quantified by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC). The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a narrow fQRS complex on the admission ECG. Results: Forty four patients were in the fQRS group (mean age, 52.97 ± 3.13 years). There was no difference between the two groups with respect to age, gender, body mass index, family history, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus. The extent of CSF was significantly greater in the fQRS group compared to the non-fragmented group (p &lt; 0.001). A significant correlation was also found between mean TFC values and fQRS (p &lt; 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only CSF (p = 0.03) was a significant independent predictor for narrow fQRS, after adjustment for other parameters. Conclusions: The narrow fQRS is a simple, inexpensive, and readily available noninvasive ECG parameter that may be a new potential indicator of myocardial damage in patients with CSF.

Short-term effects of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on left atrial appendage function

Background: The beneficial effects of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on echocardiographic parameters including left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) functions were described by previous studies. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of TAVI on left atrial appendage (LAA) function assessed by transthoracic and transesophageal echocar­diography. Methods: Fifty-five patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis were included in this prospective study. LAA early and late emptying velocities, LAA filling velocity, peak early diastolic (EM), late diastolic (AM), and systolic (SM) velocities were measured with pulsed wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging, and E/Em ratio was calculated before and 7.1 ± 2.8 days after TAVI. A subgroup analysis was performed in accordance with the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the patients and the severity of their LV diastolic dysfunction. Results: Although the post-procedure peaks and mean gradients of the patients decreased sig­nificantly, the LVEF increased significantly in those who had low LVEF before the procedure. The post-procedure E/Em ratio decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.001). The post-procedural LAA mean filling velocity and EM velocity were significantly higher than the pre-procedural filling velocity (p &lt; 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, the post-procedural LAA filling velocity, early and late LAA emptying velocities, in addition to the mean velocity of the EM, AM, and SM were significantly higher than before the procedure in patients with LVEF of &lt; 50% and E/Em ratios of &gt; 15. Conclusions: LAA function improved soon after the TAVI procedure, especially in patients with low LVEF and marked LV diastolic dysfunction

Malignant melanoma of the stomach presenting in a woman: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Malignant melanoma is reported to metastasize to all organs of the human body. Although it is common for it to metastasize to the gastrointestinal tract, a melanoma located primarily in the gastric mucosa is an uncommon tumor. Gastrointestinal metastases are rarely diagnosed before death with radiological and endoscopic techniques.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case report the clinical course and treatment of a woman with melanoma of the stomach, without any other detectable primary lesion, is presented and discussed. A 55-year-old Turkish woman presented to our clinic with complaints of muscle pain and bone pain in the left side of her chest. During an upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy, dark cherry-colored, light elevated, round-shaped lesions were taken from her gastric fundus and from the first part of her duodenum. Biopsies from these samples were determined to be malignant melanoma by the pathologist.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Metastatic malignant melanoma cases should be examined through endoscopy for gastrointestinal metastases.</p

Examination of Self-Confidence and Metacognition Levels of High School Students Case of Karabuk Province

The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between self-confidence and metacognition of high school students and to contribute to the development of students. The study conducted in accordance with this purpose is correlational research. 420 students from different high schools participated in the study. 48.1% (202) of the students are female and 51.9% (218) are male. It consists of 7 different high schools where the students participated in the study and studied in the province of Karabük. The research findings were expressed as n, (%), mean and standard deviation, and were considered significant at p &lt;0.05 significance level. All statistical calculations were made in SPSS 22.0 V. statistics package program. Considering all the findings and related researches obtained, it is seen that metacognitive skill plays an important role in students' success. In addition to this, it was observed that the success levels of students who developed the metacognitive strategy increased. In modeling, teachers can draw the attention of students to this area by presenting slices from their own lives and enable them to learn their skills in this area. Based on this, education that will improve students' metacognitive skills should be provided in all educational processes

Additional evidence of long-run purchasing power parity with black and official exchange rates

In this study, the validity of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) hypothesis is investigated by using unit root test on official and black market exchange rates for Turkey. When we used the classical unit root test, we found poor evidence for the validity of PPP in classical PP test but no evidence for PPP in the augmented Dickey-Fuller test. However, by using Zivot-Andrews test allowing for one structural break in the series of PPP, we find stronger evidence for both official and black market exchange rates. Our findings illustrate that the unit root test with structural break is powerful than classical ones for long-run PPP

An Evidence-Based Approach to Outcome Measurement in Oral and Dental Health Services: Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Oral Health Impact

Top, Mehmet/0000-0001-9162-4238WOS: 000492485000010PubMed: 31544360Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) of oral and dental health patients in terms of gender, educational status, and the reason for coming to the oral health center. Also, we investigated the relationships between OHRQOL and OHIP. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted and planned for dental patients in Turkey. OHRQOL-United Kingdom (OHRQOL-UK) and OHIP-14 were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, student t-tests, and ANOVA were used for data analyses. Results Of 527 respondents, 62.8% were female, and 37.2% were male. One-hundred-forty-one (26.8%) participants were illiterate. Three-hundred-fifty-four (67.20%) dental patients had an elementary school degree. Only 32 (6.10%) participants graduated from college and bachelor programs. For dimensions of the OHIP-14 and OHRQOL-UK, we detected statistically significant differences in personal characteristics. We found that gender, marital status, age, education status, and reasons for coming to the hospital have a significant impact on OHRQOL and OHIP. Linking Evidence to Action These results are expected to provide important evidence-based information to health managers and decision-makers in health planning and reimbursement policies. Clinicians and health managers should use OHIP, quality of life (QOL), and evidence-based practice to determine individual treatments and approaches to improve oral health. QOL is an outcome indicator in healthcare services and evidence-based practice. Measurements of evidence-based health outcomes in national health systems can be made, and global comparisons and policies in oral and dental health can be developed