Does Firm Size Affect The Firm Profitability? Evidence from Turkey

The aim of this study is to investigate the affect of firm size on profitability. In this study, data of 200 companies which were active in Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) between the years 2008-2011 has been used.  “Return on Assets” (ROA) has been used as indicators of firm profitability and total assets, total sales and number of employees have been used as indicators of size. Multiple regression and correlation methods have been used in empirical analyses.  The result of analysis indicates a positive relation between size indicators and profitability of firms. Control variables as the age of the firms and leverage rate have been found in a negative relation with ROA, but liquidity rate and ROA have been determined to have a positive relation. Keywords: Firm size, Profitability, Firm Performance, Turke

The Influence of Dividend Payments on Company Performance: The Case of Istanbul Stock Exchange (BIST)

The aim of this study is to analyze the relation between dividend policies and financial performances of the companies operating in Istanbul Stock Exchange (BIST). The study uses data of 172 companies outside of financial sector for the period of 2008-2011.  In the study firms are divided into two groups: the ones regularly paying dividends and the ones that don’t make regular dividend payments.  The tests were conducted in order to understand whether there is a difference between accounting and market based financial performances of these two groups or not.  Empirical analyses used multiple regression, T test methods as well as descriptive statistics.  The results of analysis showed that dividend payments had influence on companies’ performances. Furthermore, there was a positive and statistically meaningful relation between the dividend per share rate (DPS) within groups and market based performance indicator Tobin’s q while there was a statistically meaningless relation between accounting based performance indicators ROA and ROE and dividend per share rate. These results are of supporting quality for the dividend relation developed by Myron Gordon and John Lintner (GL). Keywords: Dividend Payments, Firm Performance, Dividend Per Share, BIS

The Impact of the Board of Directors’ Size on the Bank’s Performance: Evidence from Turkey

The present study investigates the impact of board of directors’ size on bank performance on a sample of 12 banks’ data that were involved in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) over the period 2005-2010. We mostly used the methods of regression and correlation in conducting the analyses of the research. The findings of the conducted analyses show negative and statistically significant results between such accounting-based performance indicators as Return on Assets (ROA) along with Return on Equity (ROE) and the banks’ board of directors’ size. The research also reveals the evidence of negative and statistically non-significant results between Tobin's Q as a market-based performance indicator and boards’ size. At the same time the research identifies positive relationship between ROA and ROE with banks’ "Free Float Ratio”, whereas on the contrary, the relationship between ROA and ROE with "Number of Employees per Branch and Risk" is negative. Keywords: Boards of Directors’ size, Bank’s Performance, Corporate Governance, Turkey

Utjecaj ojačanja epoksidnom smolom na izvlačnu silu vijka u ploča vlaknatica i iverica koje se rabe u proizvodnji namještaja

The study aimed to increase the screw withdrawal strength of medium density fiberboard and particleboard used in furniture strength by using epoxy resin in the screw pilot hole. Therefore, the effects of pilot hole diameters, screw diameter, and amount of epoxy resin on screw withdrawal strength of medium density fiberboard and particleboard from face and edge were investigated. According to TS EN 13446, 50 mm × 50 mm specimens were cut from commercial medium density fiberboard and particleboard boards. A static load was applied parallel to the screw direction. The screw withdrawal strength of medium density fiberboard was higher than the screw withdrawal strength of particleboard because of its density. Besides, the screw withdrawal strength of medium density fiberboard and particleboard samples with a 3.5 mm screw diameter was higher compared to those with a 4.5 mm screw diameter. A decrease in pilot hole diameter and an increase in the amount of epoxy resin provided higher screw withdrawal strength of materials. Using 20 % epoxy resin of the volume of the pilot hole resulted in two times better screw withdrawal strength values. The study showed that a higher amount of epoxy resin, smaller pilot hole diameter, and smaller screw diameter contribute to better screw withdrawal strength of both medium density fiberboard and particleboard from the face and edge.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je povećati izvlačnu silu vijka u ploča vlaknatica i iverica koje se rabe u proizvodnji namještaja, i to upotrebom epoksidne smole u pilot-rupama za vijke. Stoga je ispitan utjecaj promjera pilot-rupa, promjera vijka i količine epoksidne smole na izvlačnu silu vijka na plohi i rubu ploče vlaknatice i iverice. Uzorci dimenzija 50 mm × 50 mm prema TS EN 13446 izrađeni su od komercijalne srednje guste ploče vlaknatice i ploče iverice. Statičko opterećenje djelovalo je paralelno na smjer vijka. Zbog razlika u gustoći ploča izvlačna sila vijka bila je veća za srednje gustu ploču vlaknaticu nego za ploču ivericu. Osim toga, izvlačna sila vijka promjera 3,5 mm u srednje gustoj ploči vlaknatici i ploči iverici bila je veća od izvlačne sile vijka promjera 4,5 mm. Smanjenje promjera pilot-rupe i povećanje količine epoksidne smole omogućilo je veću otpornost materijala na izvlačenje vijaka. Upotrebom 20 % epoksidne smole u odnosu prema volumenu pilot-rupe rezultiralo je dvostruko boljim vrijednostima izvlačne sile vijka. Istraživanje je pokazalo da veća količina epoksidne smole, manji promjer pilot-rupe i manji promjer vijka pridonose boljoj izvlačnoj sili vijka na plohi i rubu srednje guste ploče vlaknatice i ploče iverice

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection through CAR-T-like bispecific T cell engagers incorporating ACE2.

OBJECTIVES: Despite advances in antibody treatments and vaccines, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major health problem resulting in excessive morbidity and mortality and the emergence of new variants has reduced the effectiveness of current vaccines. METHODS: Here, as a proof-of-concept, we engineered primary CD8 T cells to express SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific CARs, using the extracellular region of ACE2 and demonstrated their highly specific and potent cytotoxicity towards Spike-expressing target cells. To improve on this concept as a potential therapeutic, we developed a bispecific T cell engager combining ACE2 with an anti-CD3 scFv (ACE2-Bite) to target infected cells and the virus. RESULTS: As in CAR-T cell approach, ACE2-Bite endowed cytotoxic cells to selectively kill Spike-expressing targets. Furthermore, ACE2-Bite neutralized the pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 wild-type, and variants including Delta and Omicron, as a decoy protein. Remarkably, ACE2-Bite molecule showed a higher binding and neutralization affinity to Delta and Omicron variants compared to SARS-CoV-2 wild-type Spike proteins. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these results suggest the potential of this approach as a variant-proof, therapeutic strategy for future SARS-CoV-2 variants, employing both humoral and cellular arms of the adaptive immune response

Atypical type of dual left anterior descending coronary artery

AbstractDual left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is a rare coronary anomaly and is divided into six subgroups in the literature according to the origin and course of the short and long branches of the anomalous artery. We present two distinct cases of dual LAD which are distinguished by two branches of equal length from their counterparts in the literature.<Learning objective: In our cases a novel dual LAD variant is presented with two main branches of equal length and reaches the cardiac apex. Cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons should be aware of these variants to avoid misinterpretation of coronary angiography and intraoperative complications.

The Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 in Patients with Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia

Background/Aim. Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is considered as a variant of atherosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are among the sensitive markers of systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the cytokines; TNF-α and IL-6 in CAE patients. Methods. Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in 36 patients with CAE (28 males, mean age: 58.2 ± 12 years), and results were compared with age and sex-matched controls (n = 32) without coronary artery ectasia. TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in blood were assesed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CAE group than controls (15.6 ± 11.2 pg/mL versus 7.8 ± 3.7 pg/mL, P < .001, and 17.2 ± 12.6 versus 7.6 ± 2.1 P < .0001, resp.). Conclusion. CAE patients showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 levels compared to the controls. This study provides evidence for alterations in the proinflamatory cytokines which suggest the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of CAE. Further placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of this increase in TNF-α and IL-6 levels

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the duodenum together with multiple intra-abdominal thromboses and hepatitis C virus infection: a case report

Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue MALT lymphoma is a low grade malignancy that arises most commonly from the gastric mucosa. Small intestinal involvement is very rare. The causative relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the gastric MALT lymphoma is a well known issue, but recently there are several data suggesting the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the pathogenesis of lymphoma including MALT lymphoma. Herein we present a rare case of duodenal MALT lymphoma with multiple intra-abdominal thromboses together with HCV infection that was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction detecting HCV-RNA within the peripheral blood mononuclear cells

SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody and neutralization assays reveal the wide range of the humoral immune response to virus.

Development of antibody protection during SARS-CoV-2 infection is a pressing question for public health and for vaccine development. We developed highly sensitive SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and neutralization assays. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein or Nucleocapsid protein specific IgG antibodies at titers more than 1:100,000 were detectable in all PCR+ subjects (n = 115) and were absent in the negative controls. Other isotype antibodies (IgA, IgG1-4) were also detected. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization was determined in COVID-19 and convalescent plasma at up to 10,000-fold dilution, using Spike protein pseudotyped lentiviruses, which were also blocked by neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Hospitalized patients had up to 3000-fold higher antibody and neutralization titers compared to outpatients or convalescent plasma donors. Interestingly, some COVID-19 patients also possessed NAbs against SARS-CoV Spike protein pseudovirus. Together these results demonstrate the high specificity and sensitivity of our assays, which may impact understanding the quality or duration of the antibody response during COVID-19 and in determining the effectiveness of potential vaccines

Socioeconomic Changes in the Adatepe Village, NW Turkey

As known, geographical characteristics of an area are decisive substantially for both development and survival of settlements. Natural or anthropogenically-triggered disasters often give rise not only to economic damage and mortality but also removal of allocation units. In Turkey, the displacement of rural settlements is frequently associated with mass movements that occur where geological, geomorphologic and climatologic factors as well as human interference make settlement areas prone to slides or slumps. In recent years, such events have caused significant economic damages and even loss of lives in various regions of the country. The anthropogenic involvements such as road construction, mining operations and pipeline engineering activities and so on constitute the main provocative factors