How did the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis Influence Turkish Firms

Abstract. This paper investigates whether 2007-2008 global financial crisis hadan effecton Turkish firms. For this purpose, we investigated the firm-specific factors affecting the stock returns of firms in the BIST-XU100 in the 2004-2009 periods. The period was divided into two sub-samples, namely pre-crisisand during-crisis periods. Moreover, the effects of firm size, market-to-book ratio (MB), and price-to-earnings (PE) ratio on stock return were examined using feasible generalized least-squares (FGLS) and panel-corrected standard errors (PCSE) models. In the literature, the US subprime mortgage crisis meltdown and spillover effects were studied on different countries and different stock markets. In this study, not only crisis effects but also effects of firm-specific factors were considered. Integration levels of the series were investigated by panel unit root tests. The models were used for both sub-samples, and the results of the two models werecompared. The results showed that. Size and MB variables were significant in all the periods and had positive effects on the stock return of the firms, and the global financial crisis hada significant but weak effect on Turkish firms.Keywords.Financial Crisis, Stock Market, FGLS, PCSE.JEL.C23, G01, G20

Türkiye’deki Bireysel Yatırımcıların Yatırım Riski Tercihlerini Etkileyen Bireysel Faktörlerin Analizi Analysis of Individual Factors That Affect Investment Risk Preference of Individual Investors in Turkey

Yatırımcıların risk tercihleri risk birimi başına bekledikleri getiri düzeyinde etkili olmaktadır. Bu durumda bireylerin risk tercihlerini etkileyen bireysel faktörlerin tespiti en önemli gerekliliktir. Bu çalışmada bireylerin risk tercihleri üzerinde etkili olması beklenen bireysel faktörlerin tespiti amacıyla toplam 380 kişi ile rassal örnekleme yöntemine göre anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Yaş, cinsiyet, medeni durum, çocuk sahibi olma, aylık gelir, servet ve eğitim düzeyi gibi bireysel faktörler bağımsız değişken olarak alınmış ve İkili Lojistik Regresyon analizi yapılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre aylık gelir ve servet ile pozitif diğer değişkenlerle negatif bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Investors' risk preference is influential on the level of expected return per risk unit. In this case, the identification of the individual factors that affect the investors’ risk preferences is the most important necessity. In this study, a survey study was conducted with 380 people selected according to the random sampling method, in order to determine individual factors expected to affect individuals' risk preferences. Individual investors’ age, gender, marital status, child ownership, salary, wealth, education level were taken as an independent variable, and Binary Logistic Regression analysis was used. As a result of the study, a positive relationship with dependent variable was found between salary and wealth, and other independent variables had a negative relationship with dependent variable

Yedinci sınıf öğrencilerinin ortalama ve değişim kavramları ile ilgili istatistiksel okuryazarlıklarının sütun ve çizgi grafiğinde incelenmesi.

The aim of the present study was to analyze statistical literacy of seventh grade students on the concepts of “average” and “variation” on bar and line graphs related to the data obtained from social or scientific contexts. More specifically, seventh grade students’ statistical literacy levels in terms of the concepts of “average” and “variation” on bar and line graphs related to the data obtained from social or scientific contexts were determined and how students at different statistical literacy levels define, interpret and evaluate the concepts of average and variation was investigated. Participants of the study were 164 seventh grade students from two public middle schools in Akyurt and Çankaya district of Ankara. Data of the study were collected via Statistical Literacy Test (SLT) during the spring semester of 2017-2018 academic year. Obtained data were analyzed using the statistical literacy framework of Watson and Callingham (2003) which consists of six hierarchical levels, beginning from Level 1 to Level 6. The findings of the study indicated that statistical literacy levels of the students were generally higher in the average concept when compared to determined statistical literacy levels related to the concept of variation. While most of the students generally performed at Level 3-4 in the framework of Watson and Callingham (2003) in the questions related to average concept, most of them performed at Level 1-2 in the questions related to the concept of variation. To state it differently, while most of the students could interpret the concept of average on bar and line graphs, most of them had difficulty in interpreting the variation concept on bar and line graphs related to the data obtained from social or scientific contexts. Moreover, almost all students had difficulty in evaluation of the average and variation concepts on bar and line graphs related to the data obtained from social or scientific contexts. Lastly, while students’ interpretations and evaluations of the average concept when data were presented on bar and line graphs did not differ much from the current studies in the literature, bar and line graphs seems to be helpful for students in evaluation of the concept of variation.M.S. - Master of Scienc

Evaluation of Anterior Segment Parameters in Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma, Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma, and Healthy Eyes

Objectives: To evaluate anterior segment parameters measured by dual Scheimpflug corneal topography in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), and healthy eyes. Materials and Methods: One hundred forty-three eyes of 86 patients were included in this study. Forty-seven eyes of 38 patients with PEXG, 30 eyes of 15 patients with PACG, and 66 eyes of 33 healthy subjects were evaluated. Patients who underwent previous ophthalmic surgery and contact lens wearers were excluded. After full ophthalmological examination, mean central corneal thickness (CCT), white-to-white horizontal corneal diameter (WTW), pupillary diameter (PD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and mean anterior chamber angle were measured by dual Scheimpflug corneal topography and compared between the three groups. Statistical analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows 18.0 program. Results: No statistical difference was found in mean age or gender among the study groups (p>0.05). There were also no statistical differences in CCT, WTW, or PD among the groups (p=0.568, p=0.064, p=0.321, respectively). ACV, ACD, and mean anterior chamber angle values were significantly lower in the PACG group compared to the other groups (p=0.000 for all). There was no statistically significant difference in these measurements between the PEXG and normal eyes. Conclusion: ACV and depth and mean anterior chamber angle were statistically different (lower) in PACG when compared with PEXG and healthy eyes. Dual Scheimpflug corneal topography can be used as an objective method for the measurement of anterior segment parameters in glaucoma

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle herds in Central Anatolia, Turkey

A total of 3287 sera collected from cows in thirty-two herds in the eight provinces of Central Anatolia of Turkey were tested for presence of Neospora caninum antibodies by using commercial ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence of Neospora caninum was 13.96% (95% CI 13.78 to 16.22). On a provincial basis, N. caninum infection was present in all provinces while cows sampled in Kirikkale had the highest rate (P<0.05). Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 34 (23.61%) of 144 aborted cows. The prevalence of N. caninum was significantly higher in the aborted cows than in non-aborted cows (P<0.001). However, the odds ratio was 1.97, suggesting an association between abortion and seropositivity. This is the first report on serological prevalence of Neospora caninum in cows in Central Anatolia, and neosporosis in dairy cattle seems to be widespread in some provinces of this region

Siblings with Ethylmalonic Encephalopathy: Case Report

Deficiency of mitochondrial sulfur dioxygenase (ETHE1) causes a rare inborn error of metabolism, ethylmalonic encephalopathy, which is characterized by early-onset encephalopathy, chronic hemorrhagic diarrhea, recurrent petechiae, orthostatic acrocyanosis, defective cytochrome C oxidase because of hydrogen sulfide accumulation and death in the first years of life. Biochemical hallmarks of the disease are high level of lactate, C4-C5-acylcarnitines in blood and markedly elevated urinary excretion of methylsuccinic and ethylmalonic acids. We report on two siblings who were admitted to a pediatric metabolic unit with acrocyanosis, chronic diarrhea and psychomotor retardation later diagnosed as ethylmalonic encephalopathy. Molecular analyses revealed a homozygous for p.R163Q (c.488 G>A) mutation in ETHE1 gene

Does the Efferent Auditory System Have a Role in Children with Specific Learning Disabilities?

Objective: This study aimed to compare the baseline transient otoacoustic emission (t-OAE) amplitudes and medial olivo-cochlear (MOC) efferent activity in children with specific learning disability (SLD) and children with normal development.Methods: The study was conducted in two groups. The patient group included 30 children aged 6 to 10 years and diagnosed with SLD, and the control group included 30 children in the same age range without SLD. The patient group included eight males and 22 females, and the control group included 14 females and 16 males. t-OAE and contralateral suppression test were performed in both groups.Results: In the first t-OAE measurements, a statistically significant difference was observed between the patient and the control group at frequencies of 1400, 2000, 2800, and 4000 Hz, but no such difference was observed at 1000 Hz frequency. In the control group, significantly better emission amplitudes were observed. No differences were found at any frequency between the patient and the control groups after suppression. When the subjects in the two groups were compared among themselves, there was a statistically significant difference between the before and after suppression scores in the patient group except at 4000 Hz. Likewise, an important difference was also observed in all frequencies in the control group.Conclusion: This study shows that suppression effects of t-OAE on children diagnosed with SLD and children with no SDL are not significantly different

Skin manifestations following anti-COVID-19 vaccination: A multicentricstudy from Turkey

Purpose: After the emergence of the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, vaccination with various vaccines has started to be implemented across the world. To identify dermatological reactions developing after the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Turkey and determine their clinical features and risk factors that may play a role in their development. Materials and Methods: The study included patients aged ≥18 years, who presented to 13 different dermatology clinics in Turkey between July 2021 and September 2021 after developing dermatological reactions following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. After providing written consent, the patients were asked to complete a standard survey including questions related to age, gender, occupation, comorbidities, the regular medication used, the onset of cutaneous reactions after vaccination, and localization of reactions. Dermatological reactions were categorized according to whether they developed after the first or second dose of the vaccine or whether they occurred after the inactivated or messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. The relationship between dermatological reactions and some variables such as gender and comorbidities was also evaluated. Results: A total of 269 patients [116 women (43.1%), 153 men (56.9%)] were included in the study. It was observed that the dermatological diseases and reactions that most frequently developed after vaccination were urticaria (25.7%), herpes zoster (24.9%), maculopapular eruption (12.3%), and pityriasis rosea (4.5%). The rate of dermatological reactions was 60.6% after the administration of the mRNA vaccine and 39.4% after that of the inactivated vaccine. There was a statistically significantly higher number of reactions among the patients that received the mRNA vaccine (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The most common reactions in our sample were urticaria, herpes zoster, and maculopapular eruption. Physicians should know the dermatological side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and their clinical features

Inflammatory Markers in Patients Using Domiciliary Non-invasive Mechanical Ventilation: C Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio

Aim: Early identification and treatment of infections in patients using domiciliary non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) due to chronic respiratory failure (CRF) can reduce hospital admissions. We assessed C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as indicators of infection/inflammation.Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study, and was performed in 2016 in an intensive care unit outpatient clinic in patients using NIMV. Patients who came to the outpatient clinic with dyspnea, increased sputum, increased prothrombin, and who had hemogram, procalcitonin, and serum CRP, NLR, and PLT/MPV levels assessed, were enrolled into the study. Demographic characteristics, co-morbid diseases, respiratory symptoms, hemogram, biochemistry, CRP, and procalcitonin values in stable and acute attack patients were recorded from patient files. The descriptive statistics and CRP, NLR, and procalcitonin values were assessed.Results: During the study period, 49 patients (24 female) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, n = 24), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS, n = 15), or interstitial lung disease, n = 10), and having had three inflammatory markers assessed, were included in the study. Their mean age was 67 (SD ± 12). Stable patients vs. those who had an acute attack was 41 vs. eight, and within 7 days of outpatient admission four patients were hospitalized. CRP, NLR, and PLT/MPV values were similar in patients' who had sputum purulence, and an increase in dyspnea and sputum, but procalcitonin was significantly higher in patients who had an acute attack. Procalcitonin was not correlated with CRP, NLR, and PLT/MPV.Conclusions: Patients with CRF had similar levels of CRP and NLR during a stable and acute attack state. Procalcitonin may be a better marker for therapeutic decisions in advanced chronic inflammatory diseases