Endogenous Network Formation In the Laboratory

This paper provides an experimental test of a theory of endogenous network formation. A group of subjects face a decision problem under uncertainty. The subjects are endowed with a private information about the fundamentals of the problem, and they are supposed to make a decision one after the other. The key feature of the experiment is that a subject can observe the decisions of the preceding subjects by forming links. A link is costly, yet it enables a subject to observe previous decisions of those to whom he is linked. We show that subjects respond to changes in the information structure and the cost of link formation in the expected manner. However, we also show that behavior systematically deviates from the Bayesian benchmark as subjects form more links than theory predicts. Subjects also exhibit a tendency to conform rather than follow their own information. In order to explain this pattern, we provide an econometric model that posits that subjects care about their relative standing in the group. We show that the modified model provides a better fit than a standard QRE.Social learning; social interaction; networks; network formation

Fast Moving Consumer Goods: Competitive Conditions and Policies

Fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) constitute a large part of consumers' budget in all countries. The retail sector for FMCGs in Turkey is in the process of a drastic transformation. New, "modern" retail formats, like chain stores and hyper/supermarkets, have rapidly diffused in almost all major urban areas, and increased their market share at the expense of traditional formats (grocery shops, green groceries, etc.) in the last couple of decades. This rapid transformation has raised concerns about competitive conditions in the sector. This study is aimed at to shed light on competitive conditions prevailing in the FMCGs retail trade sector in Turkey. We analyze how the structure of the market is being transformed in recent years by new retail formats. The study is focused on the analysis of competitive dynamics (inter-firm rivalry, pricing and non-price policies, barriers to entry, regulatory conditions, etc.) within the sector, and draws lessons for competition policy.FMCG, competition policy, Turkey

Phosphorus Removal from Liquid Swine Manure by Chemical Precipitation

Over application of phosphorus (P) by the land application of manure from animal feeding operations is an increasing threat to surface water quality. Regulations limiting manure application rates based on P are expanding and many operators will be land limited when forced to follow these standards. The excessive loading of P onto agricultural lands is a serious environmental issue because it can be transported to surface waters where it can cause eutrophication. It has been shown that P content in swine manure can be reduced by precipitation of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, MgNH 4PO4·6H2O (struvite). In this research, the fundamental objective was to reduce the P concentration of swine wastewater by precipitation methods. This task was divided into three phases. Phase 1 investigated the optimum pH, and the molar ratios of magnesium (Mg2+), ammonium (NH4+), and phosphate (PO43-) needed to enhance precipitation. Laboratory experiments were conducted using magnesium chloride (MgCl2·6H2O, 64% solution) to increase the Mg2+ concentration and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to increase the pH. Phase 2 of this project investigated the usefulness of a chemical equilibrium model, Visual Minteq, for prescribing the amendments needed to maximize struvite precipitation from liquid swine manure and thus reduce the orthophosphate phosphorus (OP) concentration. The actual concentrations of Mg2+, calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), OP, NH4 +,alkalinity and pH from a liquid swine manure system were used as inputs to the model. The model was modified to remove species with extremely low formation rates, because they would not realistically form during a short retention-time process such as those envisioned for swine manure struvite-formation reactors. Using the model’s output, a series of bench-scale reactors were used to verify the results. Finally, phase 3 involved the development of a laboratory-scale, continuous-flow reactor that was used to investigate the hydraulic retention time (HRT) needed to optimize struvite precipitation. Using the values for retention time, the Mg2+:PO43-ratio, and pH adjustment that were determined by this research, a full-scale economic analysis was conducted to estimate the cost of using struvite precipitation to reduce the P concentration of a liquid swine manure during the land application process

Assessment of the effects of biosafety law in Turkey

Transgenik ürünlerin kullanımının artması ile biyogüvenlik konusunda yapılmakta olan yasal düzenlemeler, günümüzde büyük bir önem kazanmıştır. İnsan ve çevre sağlığı dikkate alınarak, uluslararası alanda biyogüvenlik üzerine büyük adımlar atılmıştır. Her ülke uluslararası düzenlemeler sonucunda, kendine özgü biyogüvenlik prosedürü oluşturmuş ve uygulamaya başlamıştır. Türkiye'de yapılan çalışmalar sonucunda, 2010 yılında oluşturulan düzenlemeler 'Biyogüvenlik Yasası' olarak kamuoyuna duyurulmuştur. Bu çalışmada Türkiye'deki 'Biyogüvenlik Yasası' detaylı olarak incelenmiş olup, bazı maddelerinin yeterince net olmadığı, belirli konularda yetersizlikler ve eksikliklerin olduğu belirlenmiştir. Gerekli altyapı iyileştirmeleri ve önlemlerin alınması durumunda ise, bu konuda önemli bir boşluğun doldurulacağı düşünülmektedir. Çalışmada; Yasanın, kısa ve orta dönemde üretici açısından önemli bir etki oluşturmayacağı, tüketim ve kullanılabilirlik açısından ise yapılmış olan düzenlemelerin büyük bir çoğunluğunun, yem ve hayvancılık sektörü ile ilgili olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Yasa kapsamında, başvuru yapılan ürünlerin henüz gıda olarak kullanımına onay verilmediği, yem ve hayvancılık sektörleri için kısmi izinler uygulandığı belirlenmiştir. Bazı ürünler için ise rafine edilme ve işlenme durumundan sonra kullanıma uygun olabileceği bildirilmiştir. Yasanın yürürlüğü girmesinden itibaren ticari sapmalar oluşmuş ve ithal edilen ürünler için transgenik üretim yapmayan ülkelere kaymalar gözlenmiştir. Biyogüvenlik Yasası kapsamında, Gıda ve Yemler için Hızlı Uyarı Sistemi (RASFF:Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) sistemi incelenmiş ve henüz yerel üretimde kriterlere uygunluk sağlanamadığı alınan uyarılardan tespit edilmiş olup, bu durumun olası transgenik üretim ve ticareti için daha fazla sorun çıkarabileceği düşünülmektedir. RASFF sisteminin Türkiye için bir kılavuz olarak görülmesi, yaşanan sorunların en aza indirilmesini sağlayabilecektir. Sosyo-ekonomik olarak, Yasa ile transgenik ürünlerin ülkeye girmesine izin verilirken, buna karşın üretim amaçlı kullanımına izin verilmemesi, üreticiler için henüz bir tehdit oluşturmaz iken, gelecekte fiyat dengesinde problemler yaşanabileceği öngörülmektedir. Tüketicilerin ise; henüz transgenik ürünleri kullanmaya hazır olmadıkları, bu konuda bilgilendirilmeleri gerektiği, etiketleme ve izlenebilirliğin tüketici refahı için çok büyük önem taşıdığı belirlenmiştir.Nowadays, legislative regulations enacted on biosafety issues together with increased usage of transgenic crops have gained huge importance. Great steps on biosafety are taken in the international area considering human and environmental health. Every country has consisted of biosafety procedure and then started to implement to this in consequence of the international regulations. As a result of the studies carried out in Turkey, the legislations enacted in 2010 year were announced to public opinion as 'Biosafety Law". 'Biosafety Law" in Turkey are investigated in depth way in this study, thus it is identified that some items of the Law are not sufficiently clear, and there are also some adequacies and deficiencies herein. It is though that a substantial gap is filled on this topic if required infrastructure amendments and precautions are provided. In this study, it is defined that the Law will not constitute a significant effect in short and middle period, but most of the legislations enacted are related with feed and livestock sectors in the framework of consumption and availability. It is not to be approved the crops made application to use as a food yet partial permissions are implemented for feed and livestock sectors. It is declared that some crops will be able to match suitability for use after refined and processing. Commercial variations are occurred from the Law came into force and it is observed that some dislocations to the countries do not produce transgenic production for the crops imported. Within the scope of Biosafety Law, Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) was investigated, and it is understood that it is not to enable to be convenience to criterions in local production from taken the alarms, thus it is thought this situation gives more problems on transgenic production and trading. It is seen the RASFF system as a guide for Turkey, thus it will be able to provide to be reduced the problems taken place. In terms of socio-economic circumstance, while it is allowed to enter the transgenic crops to the country owing to this Law, on the other hand it is not to allow using as production purposeful, it does not occur to threat for producers, so it is predicted to be problems in price equilibrium. For consumers, it is thought that they are not present to use transgenic crops, they need to be informed on this issue, and labeling and traceability have huge importance for consumer welfare

Geleneksel güdül evlerinde kullanılan yapım teknikleri

The aim of this study is to prepare comprehensive and reliable documentation about construction techniques and materials of traditional houses in Güdül, district of Ankara, considering construction processes. For this purpose, studies about general features and history of Güdül as well as preservation activities in the settlement were collected and reviewed. By evaluating collected information from literature research and documentation of collected data on site surveys, architectural characteristics of Güdül houses were defined. The houses which represent the traditional Güdül houses and allow the observation of original construction techniques used in Güdül houses were surveyed and documented. All components of structural and architectural elements were analyzed and grouped in terms of similarities and differences in construction techniques, forms and materials of the elements. With an overall evaluation of all documented data and information gathered from surveys and local master builders, construction processes of traditional Güdül houses were explained briefly.Thesis (M.Arch.) -- Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Architecture

Evolution of the financial services industry in Europe and US

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Real Estate Development in Conjunction with the Center for Real Estate , 2009.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Cataloged from student submitted PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-151).The thesis aims to address the long lasting phenomena of evolution of financial services industry both in US and Europe. The topic has never been more emphasized since the Great Depression. The dramatic fact of cost cutting and diminishing the headcount in financial services industry creates question if the geographic location has substantial effect in their business activities. This study is conducted to analyze whether there is substantial change in the geographic preference of financial services industry which can result immigration away from the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) like Chicago, New York in US and London, Paris in Europe to smaller MSAs. This thesis presents a quantitative model to find out about the historical trends, correlation with other significant variables and significance of the causalities between the variables. Furthermore, the qualitative part of the thesis will try to explain the motivations behind the change and the accelerations and decelerations of the trend at a certain point of time. The thesis examines and tests the hypothesis in two parts, US and Europe with a comparative approach. In the first section of the thesis, the specialization and concentration variables of US will be computed and ranked by taking 1974 as base year in order to observe the evolution since then for each category and subcategory of sectors. The trends of those variables along the time horizon as well as the correlation to other variables are explained for the top 4 and top 10 MSAs. Moreover, the significance of those variables is tested in order to verify the reliability of the results.(cont.) In the second section, previously selected nine major cities in Europe are selected according to the criteria of availability of continuous data along the time period, level of the finance employment and total employment levels. Although the detailed data related to subcategories of the finance industry were not available, the value added measures of financial industry shed light on productivity measures at each city level. The outcomes of the two studies is compared and contrasted and the reasons of the deviations are investigated. Therefore, the study is also a gateway to project what trends may be expected in the future.by Pinar Boyar and Onur Celen.S.M

Designing the Learning Experiences in Serious Games: The Overt and the Subtle—The Virtual Clinic Learning Environment

: Serious Games are becoming more common in the educational setting and must pass muster with both students and instructors for their learning experience and knowledge building. The Virtual Clinic Learning Environment has recently been developed and implemented at East Carolina University using a design framework based on Bloom’s variables, and in the process of refining those design questions, identifies the methods of how serious games provide an overt and subtle learning experience. The overt learning experience is based in the design questions defined and the subtle experience was derived by examining the idea of sense of place as it relates to the virtual environment. By considering these two streams of learning, designers can avoid pitfalls and build on these design elements of a virtual learning environment

Native speaker dichotomy: Stakeholders’ preferences and perceptions of native and non-native speaking English language teachers

Addressing the perceptions and the preferences of the upper-secondary school students, teachers, parents and administrators of the native speaking (NS) and non-native speaking (NNS) English teachers as well as investigating the variables affecting these preferences and perceptions, this study explores whether or not the native speaker myth is still prevalent. Contrary to common assumptions with regard to student and parent preferences being in favour of NS English teachers, this study purports that English as a foreign language (EFL) students who have participated in this study which is conducted in the Turkish Cypriot context favour the English teachers with good teaching skills, regardless of their NS/NNS status. The students’ perceptions and preferences are compared with those of their parents, teachers and administrators. The data are collected from 185 students, 86 parents, 18 teachers and two administrators, and analysed adopting a mixed-methods research design, being predominantly quantitative. Overall, mother tongue and grade are found to be the two variables that influence the participants’ perceptions and preferences with regard to the NS and NNS English teachers. Significant differences are found between student and teacher responses and between parents’ and teachers’ perceptions and preferences.Keywords: administrators; English as a foreign language (EFL); native speaker dichotomy; parents; teacher preferenc

A percepção de adolescentes e de pais sobre decisão e autonomia

This study attempted to investigate decisional autonomy in Turkish adolescents from 12 to 18 years. The Perspectives on Adolescent Decision Making (PADM) questionnaire was administered to 372 middle class adolescents who attend middle and high schools and to their parents. The PADM assess if adolescents decide for themselves, or parents impose restrictions or adolescents and parents have arguments about the topic. MANOVA analyzes were used. Results showed that affirmative answers increased with age. From adolescent and parents' perspectives adolescent decisional autonomy grows with age, parental control decreases, conflicts between them tended to decrease, on the perspective of parents. There was minor gender differences: girls have higher level of decisional autonomy; boys experience more conflict. Adolescents' decisional autonomy expectations tended to be higher than those of parents. Fathers' and mothers' perspectives on decisional autonomy were very similar. The results support the new family model proposed by Kaðýtçýbaþý.Estudo objetivou investigar autonomia de decisão de adolescentes turcos de 12-18 anos de idade. Questionário PADM (Perspectivas na Tomada de Decisões por Adolescentes) foi administrado a 372 adolescentes de classe média, alunos de ensino fundamental e médio e a seus pais. O PADM verifica se adolescentes decidem por si mesmos ou se os pais impõem restrições, também se discutem o assunto. Foram usadas análises MANOVA. Os resultados mostraram que respostas afirmativas aumentam com a idade. Na perspectiva de pais e adolescentes a autonomia para tomada de decisões aumenta com a idade, o controle parental diminui, conflitos tendem a diminuir. Houve pequena diferença de gênero: meninas têm maior nível de autonomia decisional, meninos experimentam mais conflitos. As expectativas de autonomia decisional dos adolescentes tendem a ser maiores que as dos pais. Perspectivas de pais e mães sobre autonomia foram bastante similares; os resultados suportam o modelo de família proposto por Kaðýtçýbaþý