Corruption and shadow economy in transition economies of European Union countries: a panel cointegration and causality analysis

Corruption and shadow economy are two critical problems which feed each other and pose an obstacle against the economic development of countries, especially those with weak fundamentals. Central and Eastern European countries have experienced an absolute political and economic transformation after the downfall of the Berlin Wall. This study researches the effect of corruption and rule of law on shadow economy in 11 transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe over the 2003–2015 term with panel cointegration and causality tests considering heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence. The cointegration coefficients revealed a complementary interplay between size of shadow economy and corruption. Furthermore, the causality analysis indicated that there was a bilateral causality between control of corruption and shadow economy in all the cross-section units. However, there was a two-way causality between rule of law and shadow economy only in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland and Romania. Furthermore, there was one-way causality from rule of law to shadow economy in Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia

Orta ve Doğu Avrupa Birliği Ülkelerinde Yolsuzluk, Gelir Dağılımı Eşitsizliği ve Yoksulluk: Panel Nedensellik Analizi

Son yıllarda küresel servet önemli miktarda artmış, gelir dağılımı eşitsizliği ve yoksullukta düşüşler görülmüştür. Bununla birlikte hem gelir dağılımı eşitsizliği hem de yoksulluk hala ciddi boyutlarda bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışma Dumitrescu ve Hurlin (2012) panel nedensellik testini kullanarak Orta ve Doğu Avrupa bölgesindeki Avrupa Birliği geçiş ekonomilerinde 2005-2016 döneminde yolsuzluk, gelir dağılımı eşitsizliği ve yoksulluk arasındaki nedensel etkileşimi araştırmaktadır. Çalışma sonucunda yoksulluktan yolsuzluğa ve gelir dağılımı eşitsizliğinden yoksulluğa doğru tek yönlü nedensellik belirlenmiştir

Corneal biomechanical properties in thyroid eye disease

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of thyroid eye disease (TED) on the measurement of corneal biomechanical properties and the relationship between these parameters and disease manifestations. A total of 54 eyes of 27 individuals with TED and 52 eyes of 30 healthy control participants were enrolled. Thyroid ophthalmopathy activity was defined using the VISA (vision, inflammation, strabismus, and appearance/exposure) classification for TED. The intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), axial length (AL), keratometry, and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements were taken from each patient. Corneal biomechanical properties, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) and noncontact IOP measurements, Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) and corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) were measured with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) using the standard technique. Parameters such as best corrected visual acuity, axial length, central corneal thickness, and corneal curvature were not statistically significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). IOP measured with GAT was higher in participants with TED (p < 0.001). The CH of TED patients was significantly lower than that of the control group. There was no significant difference in the corneal resistance factor between groups. However, IOPg and IOPcc were significantly higher in TED patients. CH and VISA grading of TED patients showed a negative correlation (p = 0.007). In conclusion, TED affects the corneal biomechanical properties by decreasing CH. IOP with GAT and IOPg is found to be increased in these patients. As the severity of TED increases, CH decreases in these patients

Usefulness of the uric acid and CHA2DS2-VASc score in prediction of left atrial thrombosis in patients with mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm

Background: The risk of thrombus formation in the left atrium is known to be very high in patients with both mitral stenosis (MS) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, that risk should not be ignored in patients with MS in sinus rhythm (SR). The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical factors that could have a determining role in the formation of a left atrial (LA) thrombus in patients with MS in SR. Method: A total of 207 consecutive patients with MS who underwent both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for diagnosis or to investigate the presence of a thrombus in the LA and appendage were enrolled in this study. Results: LA thrombus was detected in 21 of 207 patients. CHA2DS2-VASc score was not found to be a predictor of LA thrombosis in patients with MS in SR, despite the higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores observed in those patients. The mitral valve area and mitral valve gradient were not predictive of LA thrombus development; however, LA anteroposterior diameter (LAAPD) was found to be a predictor of LA thrombosis. Levels of high sensitivity-C-reactive protein and uric acid were higher in the patients with LA thrombosis, but only uric acid was found to be a predictor of LA thrombosis in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: A larger LAAPD and an elevated serum uric acid level were found to be independent predictors of LA thrombosis in patients with MS in SR.

Impact of foreign direct investment inflows on tax revenues in OECD countries: A panel cointegration and causality analysis

Globalization process has led considerable increases in the global foreign direct investment flows especially as of mid-1980s. Foreign direct investment inflows have potential to affect economic growth, capital accumulation, human capital, competitiveness, development of finance sector and technological progress in the host country and in turn affects the tax revenues. In this study, we analyzed the relationship among foreign direct investment inflows, economic growth and total tax revenues in 33 OECD countries during 1995-2014 period using Westerlund- Durbin-Hausmann (2008) panel cointegration test and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) panel causality test. We revealed a cointegrating relationship among foreign direct investment inflows, economic growth and total tax revenues Furthermore, there was one-way causality from foreign direct investment inflows to total revenues and bidirectional causality between economic growth and foreign direct investment inflows

Financial Development and Shadow Economy in European Union Transition Economies

The shadow economy has been a serious problem with varying dimensions in all the income group economies and has significant adverse effects on the development of economies. Therefore, all the countries have tried to combat with the shadow economy by taking various measures. This study researches the interaction among shadow economy, development of financial sector and institutional quality during 2003–2014 period in European Union transition economies employing panel data analysis. The empirical findings suggested a cointegrating relationship among shadow economy, financial sector development and institutional quality. Furthermore, financial development and institutional quality affected the shadow economy negatively in the long term

Analysis of common iliac artery morphometry: A computed tomography angiography study

The present study was conducted to create reference values of common iliac arteries (CIA) for the diagnosis of vascular diseases such as aneurysm and atherosclerosis and to contribute to preoperative evaluation and the literature for open or endovascular interventions. Abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of 299 (156 F, 143 M) patients which were taken for various reasons at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between 2015 and 2023 and which met the criteria were selected. The mean age of the patients included in the study was 49.85±18.74 years. Diameter measurements were made on two-dimensional images, while length and angle measurements were made on three-dimensional images. As a result of the analysis, the mean right CIA (RCIA) anteroposterior diameter was 1.12±0.66 cm and the mean transverse diameter was 1.21±0.74 cm; while the mean left CIA (LCIA) value was 1.12±0.68 cm in the anteroposterior axis and 1.13±0.73 cm in the transverse axis. In terms of length measurements, the mean right common iliac artery (RCIA) was found as 5.63±1.61 cm and the mean LCIA was found as 6.19±1.65 cm; in angle measurements of right and left CIA with the abdominal aorta (AA), mean RCIA was found as 23.3±9.84&#xb0; and mean LCIA was found as 19.66±9.18&#xb0;. While a significant difference was found between genders in terms of diameter values (p0.05). In terms of correlations with age, correlation was found in diameter values of both sides and RCIA angle. It is thought that morphometric measurements of the common iliac arteries will contribute to interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons and the literature. [Med-Science 2023; 12(4.000): 1030-5

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Practice Patterns and Psychological Status of Ophthalmologists in Turkey.

Aim: To investigate the changes in ophthalmologists' working conditions and mental health status in Turkey during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak and reveal the relevant individual and workplace-related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional, nationwide, the survey-based study collected data between June and September 2020. Demographic characteristics, working conditions, precautionary measures in the workplace, and participants' Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) ratings were investigated. Results: This study included 360 actively working ophthalmologists. While 64% of them worked in the pandemic hospitals, 44% were actively involved in COVID-related departments. Among those, 56 (35%) declared that they had all personal protective equipment in sufficient quantity in their COVID department. Despite the restrictions, 32% reported continuing to see 25 to 50 patients per day in ophthalmology clinics, with the most common complaint being the ocular "itching and burning" sensation. 53% stated that they did not perform any surgeries. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia were present in 65%, 56.9%, and 43% and 46.9% of participants, respectively. All DASS-21 subscales and ISI scores were found to be significantly higher during the pandemic. Female gender, older age, and lower satisfaction levels of hygiene conditions in COVID clinics were independent predictors of higher DASS-21 subscale scores in multivariate analysis. Being a resident was a major predictor of depression. Ophthalmologists working in a pandemic hospital were more likely to experience insomnia. Conclusion: Ophthalmologists have actively worked in COVID departments during the pandemic. Increased psychological distress among ophthalmologists compared to the pre-pandemic period is caused by personal factors and many determinants related to the workplace and practice patterns. Therefore, decreasing the transmission risk by creating a protective workplace and developing psychological support policies should be considered to minimize adverse psychological effects

Thermal Studies of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) Complexes of N,N\u27-bis(3,5-Di-t-Butylsalicylidene)Ethylenediamine

thermal decomposition kinetics of sterically hindered salen type ligand (L) and its metal complexes [M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II)] were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. A direct insertion probe-mass spectrometer (DIP-MS) was used for the characterization of metal complexes of L and all fragmentations and stable ions were characterized. The thermogravimetry and differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) plots of salen type salicylaldimine ligand and complexes showed a single step. The kinetic analysis of thermogravimetric data was performed by using the invariant kinetic parameter method (IKP). The values of the invariant activation energy, E inv and the invariant pre-exponential factor, A inv, were calculated by using Coats-Redfern (CR) method. The thermal stabilities and activation energies of metal complexes of sterically hindered salen type ligand (L) were found as Co(II)\u3eCu(II) \u3eNi(II)\u3eL and E Cu\u3eE Ni\u3eE Co\u3eL. Also, the probabilities of decomposition functions were investigated. The diffusion functions (D n) are most probable for the thermal decomposition of all complexes