The Comparative Economics of ICT, Environmental Degradation and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study examines how information and communication technology (ICT) could be employed to dampen the potentially damaging effects of environmental degradation in order to promote inclusive human development in a panel of 44 Sub-Saharan African countries. ICT is captured with internet and mobile phone penetration rates whereas environmental degradation is measured in terms of CO2 emissions per capita and CO2 intensity. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions using data from 2000-2012. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (Low income versus (vs.) Middle income); legal origins (English Common law vs. French Civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (Landlocked vs. Coastal); resource-wealth (Oil-rich vs. Oil-poor) and political stability (Stable vs. Unstable).Baseline findings broadly show that improvement in both of measures of ICT would significantly diminish the possibly harmful effect of CO2 emissions on inclusive human development. When the analysis is extended with the abovementioned fundamental characteristics, we observe that the moderating influence of both our ICT variables on CO2 emissions is higher in the group of English Common law, Middle income and Oil-wealthy countries than in the French Civil law, Low income countries and Oil-poor countries respectively. Theoretical and practical policy implications are discussed

Bazı doymuş hidrokarbon ve organosilikon bileşiklerinden, gaz fazda plazma (elektiriksel boşalma) ile polimer eldesi çalışmaları

TÜBİTAK TBAG Proje15.01.197

EU enlargement to Turkey: potential effects on Turkey’s agricultural income and markets

Turkey is officially recognized as a candidate country for EU membership and formal accession negotiations started in October 2005. Given the importance of Turkey’s agricultural sector, a Turkish accession to the EU could be expected to impact the agricultural markets in both the EU and Turkey. This paper provides an in-depth model-based quantitative assessment of the potential impacts of a Turkish EU-membership for agricultural income and commodity markets, focusing in particular on the effects in Turkey. Results show that the main impacts on Turkish agriculture would be a reduction in subsidies, producer prices, and quantities produced. A decrease in agricultural income, especially for Turkish crop producers (except for tobacco farmers), is also projected. In contrast, producers of sheep meat, broilers and dairy milk would benefit from EU accession due to lower feed costs. Moreover, the demand levels of most commodities are projected to increase due to lower prices, thus Turkish consumers are expected to gain from an accession to the E

Covered self-expandable metallic stents in benign pyloric obstruction: Long term results

Background/aim: The Self-Expandable Metalic Stent (SEMS) was firstly used for treatment of malignant obstruction of the esophagus, pylorus and colon. Nowadays some recent studies has been documented the use of SEMS in Benign Pyloric Obstruction (BPO). In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of covered SEMSs in BPO. Method: A total 15 patients hospitalized with BPO and underwent SEMS between June 2012 and May 2016. Data were analysed retrospectively. Results: Study was consisted of 6 female and 9 male patients with a median age of 55.4 (27-73 y) and follow-up time of 42.7 (27-60 months). SEMS technically applied with success in all patients. BPO was due to peptic ulcer in 6 patients (40%) and peptic ulcer perforation surgery in 9 (60%). Gastric Outlet Obstruction Scoring System (GOSS) was used to assess symptom improvement. Significant symptomatic improvement was observed on 3rd day with GOOSS 3 in twelve patients and GOOSS 2 in three patients after stenting. Also sixth month GOOSS scores were 3 in 12 patients (three patients were operated after stenting). Major complications was observed in four patients (26.7%); stent migration in 2, perforation and bleeding in 1. Minor complications were gastoparesis and dyspepsia in 6 patients, abdominal pain in 2, halitosis in 2 and hematemesis in 1, and severe vomiting in 1. Two patients were symptom free (13.3%). Helicobacter pylori test was positive after stenting and Hp eradication was applied to all patients. Conclusion: Covered SEMS has the advantages of low complications, rapid improvement in obstructive symptoms and high patient compliance in BPO. © 2018, Scientific Publishers of India. All rights reserved

EU enlargement to Turkey: potential effects on Turkey’s agricultural income and markets

Turkey is officially recognized as a candidate country for EU membership and formal accession negotiations started in October 2005. Given the importance of Turkey’s agricultural sector, a Turkish accession to the EU could be expected to impact the agricultural markets in both the EU and Turkey. This paper provides an in-depth model-based quantitative assessment of the potential impacts of a Turkish EU-membership for agricultural income and commodity markets, focusing in particular on the effects in Turkey. Results show that the main impacts on Turkish agriculture would be a reduction in subsidies, producer prices, and quantities produced. A decrease in agricultural income, especially for Turkish crop producers (except for tobacco farmers), is also projected. In contrast, producers of sheep meat, broilers and dairy milk would benefit from EU accession due to lower feed costs. Moreover, the demand levels of most commodities are projected to increase due to lower prices, thus Turkish consumers are expected to gain from an accession to the E

Examination of IL-1β level as an inflammasome marker in Alzheimer's disease

Objective: Interleukin (IL)-1 beta is believed to be responsible for the neurotoxicity of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, serum levels of IL-1 beta, and correlations with clinical features and neuropsychiatric test results were examined

The relationship between physical restraint and the diagnosis and drug use in the patients receiving inpatient treatment in a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic [Bir çocuk ve ergen psikiyatrisi kliniğinde yatarak tedavi gören hastalarda fiziksel tespitin tanı ve ilaç kullanımı ile ilişkisi]

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics such as the diagnosis and medication of the physically restrained patients in our inpatient unit, which is one of the few inpatient units for children and adolescents in Turkey, and the effect of the physical restraint on the treatment of them. Methods: The medical records of 102 inpatients treated in our mental health hospital during the year 2016 had been retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were restrained at least once during the hospitalization period were compared with patients who were not, in terms of diagnosis, medication, presence of comorbidity, duration of hospitalization and the way of discharge. Results: Comparing the groups that were restrained and not restrained, it was found that multiple drug use was more common in the restrained group. The use of antipsychotics, anxiolytics and mood stabilizer drugs and haloperidol-biperiden injections were found to be significantly higher in the restrained group. The rate of multiple psychiatric diagnoses was significantly higher and major depression, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder and self-injurious behaviors were more frequent in the restrained group. Although the duration of hospitalization for both groups was similar, discharge with the request of the family or caregivers before the end of treatment was more frequent in the restrained group. Clinical global improvement scores were lower in the restrained group. Discussion: There are many differences in terms of diagnosis, medication and the way of discharge between the restrained and non-restrained groups. More strategies are needed to reduce the restriction rates. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2019; 20(5):530-538). © 2019, Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine. All rights reserved