Effects of ensiling density on nutritive value of maize and sorghum silages

ABSTRACT -Studies were conducted to determine the effects of different ensiling densities on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutritive value of maize and sorghum silages. Maize and sorghum were harvested at dough (363 g/kg) and milk stages (275 g/kg), respectively. Herbages were chopped approximately 1.5 cm after harvest and then ensiled in mini silos at high and low-bulk densities for 8.5 weeks. Different bulk densities were achieved by ensiling different weights of herbage in the fixed-volume mini silos (1.5-L anaerobic jars, Weck, Germany). The obtained dry matter (DM) densities were 168 and 216 kg of DM/m 3 for maize forage and 132 and 178 kg of DM/m 3 for sorghum forage. Fermentation kinetics, the rate of aerobic deterioration upon aerobic exposure, and nutrient digestibility were followed during the periods of ensiling (on days 2, 4, 8, 15, and 60). In all cases, increased packing density resulted in silages with lower acetate content, ammonium N levels, and fermentation losses, but lactate content did not differ. Butyrate was detected in appreciable amounts only in sorghum silage. Propionate was not detected in any silage. Tightly packed silages remained stable upon exposure to air. Tight packing increases the digestibly of nutrients and improves the energy content of silages. These data show that high density limits air infiltration and reduces the oxidation loss during storage and feed-out. As a consequence, more dry matter is recovered and more energy is preserved

Prognostic Importance of Ki-67 Labeling Index in Grade II Glial Tumors

In our opinion, Ki-67 LI is an important prognostic factor for grade II gliomas, hut it cannot be used as a diagnostic measure alone. It must be used in combination with the other prognostic factors

The Size and book-to-market effects and their role as risk proxies in the Istanbul Stock Exchange

In this paper, we explore the relationship of firm-size and book-to-market equity with stok returns and with firm-specific and macro-economic fundamentals in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE). We apply two different popular asset pricing models, the one factor CAPM and the three-factor Fama and French (1993) model, to individual stock returns and to size/book-to-market sorted portfolios. We find both size and book-to-market effects to be significant, but the size effect has a higher explanatory power. We also evaluate additional firm-specific risk characteristics of our extreme portfolios and their returns in different states of the Turkish economy and relate the size and book-to-market related Fama and French factors to macro-economic indicators. Our results reveal some new empirical regularities in the ISE and support the Fama and French findings to justify models for additional risk factors in returns

Audior selection in the Istanbul Stock Exchange: An Empirical analysis

Increased competition in audit market brings out a desire to understand the factors that influence the decision of auditor selection. In recent years there have been a considerable number of studies on the selection of independent auditors by client firms. These studies were conducted predominantly in the US and occasionally some used samples from Australia and the UK that have economies similar to that of the US. This study will be among the few exceptions, which shed light on the auditor selection process in an emerging market. The paper contributes to the auditor selection literature by examining the auditor selection process in a market in which the supply and demand for independent audits has changed dramatically by a radical reform and liberalization in 1986. The argument that companies with different firm characteristics demand varying levels of audit quality constitutes the basis for our research. The purpose of this study is to build an empirical model to find out the relationship between auditor selection and client firm characteristics for the firms listed in Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. We analyze the choice of auditors by 569 companies throughout the sample period. We find that size of the client firmss, shareholdings by foreign shareholders, membership in the finance sector are positively and significantly associated with the choice of a Big-Five auditor during the sample period. The significant firm characteristics which determine the Big-Five auditor selection is valid when we compare Big-Five with second-tier firms and local audit firms. The comparison of second-tier versus local auditors reveals that firm characteristics are same within the same group except membership in finance sector. These findings reveal that second-tier international audit firms seem to be distinguished from the Big-Five but not specifically from the local audit firms

Prognostic factors for survival in adult patients with grade II glial tumors

Aim: To investigate survival results of patients with low grade gliomas (LGGs) and to evaluate the predictive role of clinico-pathologic prognostic factors on survival.Material and Methods: Between 2003 and 2014, the adult patients with Grade II glial tumors were evaluated retrospectively. Several variables were investigated to find prognostic factors related with the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).Results: This study involved in 124 patients with median 40 months follow up. The average OS for the all patients was 7.8 years. 2-, 5- and 10- year OS ratios were 91%, 73% and 55%, respectively. Patients with low pignatti risk score had a longer OS than high pignatti risk score (p=0.01). Patients with seizure had a better OS (p=0.03). Patients with biopsy/partial resection had a poorer OS (p=0.02). Patients with residue after initial surgery had a worse OS (p=0.03). If the patients had recurrence or progression, the patients had poorer OS (p=0.01). Tumor with malignant transformation (p=0.01) and glioblastoma subtype after second surgery (p=0.003) had a poorer OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.Conclusion: The extent of surgery and recurrence or progression of Grade II glioma were the independent prognostic factors for OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.Aim: To investigate survival results of patients with low grade gliomas (LGGs) and to evaluate the predictive role of clinico-pathologic prognostic factors on survival.Material and Methods: Between 2003 and 2014, the adult patients with Grade II glial tumors were evaluated retrospectively. Several variables were investigated to find prognostic factors related with the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).Results: This study involved in 124 patients with median 40 months follow up. The average OS for the all patients was 7.8 years. 2-, 5- and 10- year OS ratios were 91%, 73% and 55%, respectively. Patients with low pignatti risk score had a longer OS than high pignatti risk score (p=0.01). Patients with seizure had a better OS (p=0.03). Patients with biopsy/partial resection had a poorer OS (p=0.02). Patients with residue after initial surgery had a worse OS (p=0.03). If the patients had recurrence or progression, the patients had poorer OS (p=0.01). Tumor with malignant transformation (p=0.01) and glioblastoma subtype after second surgery (p=0.003) had a poorer OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.Conclusion: The extent of surgery and recurrence or progression of Grade II glioma were the independent prognostic factors for OS. The Pignatti risk score and seizure were the independent prognostic factors for PFS

Effects of ensiling density on nutritive value of maize and sorghum silages

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted to determine the effects of different ensiling densities on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutritive value of maize and sorghum silages. Maize and sorghum were harvested at dough (363 g/kg) and milk stages (275 g/kg), respectively. Herbages were chopped approximately 1.5 cm after harvest and then ensiled in mini silos at high and low-bulk densities for 8.5 weeks. Different bulk densities were achieved by ensiling different weights of herbage in the fixed-volume mini silos (1.5-L anaerobic jars, Weck, Germany). The obtained dry matter (DM) densities were 168 and 216 kg of DM/m3 for maize forage and 132 and 178 kg of DM/m3 for sorghum forage. Fermentation kinetics, the rate of aerobic deterioration upon aerobic exposure, and nutrient digestibility were followed during the periods of ensiling (on days 2, 4, 8, 15, and 60). In all cases, increased packing density resulted in silages with lower acetate content, ammonium N levels, and fermentation losses, but lactate content did not differ. Butyrate was detected in appreciable amounts only in sorghum silage. Propionate was not detected in any silage. Tightly packed silages remained stable upon exposure to air. Tight packing increases the digestibly of nutrients and improves the energy content of silages. These data show that high density limits air infiltration and reduces the oxidation loss during storage and feed-out. As a consequence, more dry matter is recovered and more energy is preserved

The Comparative Analysis Of Urban Transport In Ankara By Gender And Age Groups

Today travel time by urban transport has varied as a result of developing urban facilities, land use pattern, development of transport infrastructure and alternative transport system options for communities. Different factors such as transportation mode, transportation distance, travel route as well as disability status, child ownership and working conditions play a role in the differentiation of individuals' travel time. However, age group, gender and the purposes of travel should be specified as some of the main factors among travel time differences that are investigated in this work in order to find out statatisticaly meaningful differences. This study has argued the differences between the travel times of urban transport throughout Ankara on these three basic factors. According to household survey in Ankara, it has been applied to Welch's ANOVA to research whether the participants' purposes of travel influence the average of travel time or not. It has showed that there are statistically considerable differences in general and gender between the average of travel time depending on the purpose of travel. It has been applied to post-hoc tests for determining purposes causing these differences. The difference has been generally seen between travel times for the purpose of work, school and shopping. Individuals from different age groups have differences in travel time for school and shopping. The purposes of travel and travel times of young and middle-age group distinguish from each other. However, there are no considerable differences for child age group between the purposes of travel and travel times by gender.Wo

Auditor selection, client firm characteristics, and corporate governance: evidence from an emerging market

This study investigates the relationship between auditor selection, client firm characteristics, and corporate governance measures for firms listed in the ISE for the years 1999- 20042. The argument that varying levels of audit quality are demanded by companies with different firm characteristics constitutes the basis for our research. The paper focuses on determining the degree of association between the client firms’ choice of external auditors and the following client firm characteristics: percentage of shares held by foreign investors, percentage of shares open to the public (the float), membership in the finance industry, leverage, size, return on assets, and the market-to-book ratio. In addition, the effect of the client firms’ levels of Transparency and Disclosure (T&D) and compliance with local Corporate Governance Principles on the auditor selection process is also investigated.3 Whether the Big-Five4, second tier, and local audit firms are perceived as distinct groups in terms of credibility in the eyes of ISE firms is analyzed. We find that client firm size, level of shareholdings by foreign shareholders, and membership in the finance sector are the firm-specific variables that are positively and significantly associated with the choice of a Big-Five versus the other two types of auditors. This finding is consistent with the findings of extant auditor choice literature in both developed markets and in the emerging market of Athens Stock Exchange. Like Citron and Manalis (2000), we posit and find the positive relationship between foreign shareholding status and the selection of a Big Five auditor is an indication of the role of the Big-Five in providing audit credibility in the eyes of international investors. However, contrary to our expectation that agency costs will be mitigated by widespread public ownership, we find a significant negative association between the level of public shareholdings and selection of a Big-Five auditor. This might be a peculiar finding in the ISE where the managers, in serving the interests of majority family owners, may opt for the non-Big-Five that are more likely to allow managers to use discretionary, if not unethical, accounting methods that would expropriate wealth from minority shareholders and other stakeholders as we have seen in the case of bankrupt family banks. We also find that, although the Big-Five auditors’ clients are more profitable than the other types of auditors’ clients, the association is not a significant one. This might be a result of the downturn of the Turkish economy in 1998 and in 2001 that have negatively affected the profitability of all ISE companies. We expect the results of this study to be useful for auditors, their clients and the regulators that have an oversight function over both