Evaluating effectiveness of public support to business R and D in Turkey through concepts of input and output additionality

It is the purpose of this paper to examine the impact of direct public support granted to business R&D not only on the R&D expenditures of enterprises (would the recipients of incentives have carried out the same amount of R&D expenditures even in the absence of subsidies?) but also on the output of R&D expenditures of these enterprises (would the recipients of R&D subsidies have recorded growth rates -or exported or hired people- to the same extent if they had not received these subsidies?) We will use enterprise-level data for the Turkish economy over the period 2003-2006 –a time span where a substantial increase occurred in funds aimed at supporting business R&D– and a semi-parametric matching technique to examine the effectiveness of R&D incentives given to private R&D as far as their effects on R&D expenditures (input additionality) and output of R&D activity (output additionality) is concerne

Foreign direct investment and technology spillovers in the Turkish manufacturing industry

Technology spillovers from foreign to domestic firms in emerging economies are considered to be the most important channel through which Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) influence the host economy. Empirical evidence about the existence, magnitude and direction of FDI-related spillovers in these countries is contradictory pointingto the necessity of conducting more econometric studies using firm-level data. We conduct an econometric analysis to assess the impact of FDI-related horizontal technology spillovers on output growth of domestic firmsin the Turkish manufacturing industry over 2003-2006. Whena broad definition of foreign ownership is adopted,our findings suggest that horizontal spillovers occur from foreign to local firms in the sectorof activity. Export-oriented firms do notbenefit from these spillovers in contrast to firmsproducing mainly for the domestic market. However, when foreign ownership is defined according to whether the minority or majority of capital is detained by the foreign partner, horizontal spillovers seem to originate from foreign firms with majority or full foreign ownership while no such effect is associated with minority-owned foreign firms

Analyzing RD activities of foreign enterprises in emerging economies. Lessons from Turkey

Emerging economies have played an important role in the internationalization of R&D activities at least since the 1990s. Turkey, an emerging economy and at same time an accession country to the European Union which signed a Customs Union Agreement with the EU already in 1995, is no exception. In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with R&D directors of 26 multinational companies operating in Turkey –with headquarters located in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerlandand USA- in the informatics, automotive, electronics and pharmaceutical industries. Data and qualitative information obtained through these interviews are then used to analyze those factors theory points to as being major determinants of foreign R&D in emerging economies. The emphasis is on the (i) motivations of foreign enterprises for launching new R&D activities or extending existing ones (ii) restrictions of different kind they encounter in doing so (iii) their reactions with respect to FDI promotion policies and public R&D support incentives implemented by Turkish policy makers, and (iv) advantages/disadvantages of Turkish economy as an R&D location in comparison with other emerging economies. A number of policy recommendations for attracting more foreign R&D in Turkey and integrating them with the Turkish national innovation system are advanced

Ultrasound evaluation of metabolic syndrome patients with hepatosteatosis

Objective: The exact incidence of hepatosteatosis in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is unknown; also there is no valid, simple and inexpensive method to evaluate and follow-up for patients with MetS. In our study, we aimed to demonstrate the frequency of hepatosteatosis, and whether demonstrate presence and degree of steatosis using liver ultrasonography may provide additional benefit for evaluating and following-up in MetS patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: One hundred and twelve patients with MetS were included to the study. Patients divided into three groups; control group (n= 36) consisted of patients without hepatosteatosis, group 1 (n=43) consisted of patients with grade 1 hepatosteatosis. Finally, group 2 (n= 33) consisted of patients with grade 2 hepatosteatosis. The relationship between the presence and degree of the hepatosteatosis and MetS parameters were analyzed.Results: The incidence of hepatosteatosis was found 69.4% in patients with MetS. There were significantly differences in HOMA-IR, AST, ALT and GGT levels among control group and group 1 (p<0.05 for all). There were also significantly differences in waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, AST, ALT, GGT, ferritin, CRP, sedimentation, uric acid and microalbuminuria levels among control group and group 2 (p<0.05 for all). Blood pressures and lipid profiles were similar among all groups (p>0.05 for all). Besides, there were significantly differences in waist circumferences, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, GGT, uric acid, CRP levels among group 1 and 2 (p<0.05 for all).Conclusion: Our study indicates that MetS related parameters; especially insulin resistance, were significantly different in patients with hepatosteatosis compared to patients without hepatosteatosis. Because of the different measurment of waist circumferences among groups, we recommend to use liver ultrasonography and waist circumference together to evaluate and follow-up for MetS patients with hepatosteatosis. J Clin Exp Invest 2013; 4 (2): 153-158Key words: Fatty Liver, metabolic syndrome X, ultrasonograph

Nanotechnology research in Turkey: A university-driven achievement

We deal with nanotechnology research activities in Turkey. Based on publication data retrieved from ISI Web of SSCI database, the main actors and the main characteristics of nanotechnology research in Turkey are identified. Following a brief introduction to nanoscience and nanotechnology research, it goes on with a discussion on nanotechnology related science and technology policy efforts in developing countries and particularly in Turkey. Then using bibliometric methods and social network analysis techniques, this paper aims to understand the main actors of the nanoscale research in Turkey and how they collaborate across institutes and disciplines. The research indicates that there has been an exponential growth in the number of research articles published by Turkish nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST) scholars for the last ten years. However, the analysis of the main characteristics of nanotechnology research carried out at Turkish universities indicates some drawbacks and barriers to the future development of nanotechnology research in Turkey. These barriers are (i) a high concentration of nanoscale research at certain universities; (ii) low level of interdisciplinarity; (iii) a large number of universities which are not well connected to other universities in the field, and finally (iv) low level of international collaborations. Finally, science and technology policy implications of this research are discussed in the conclusion

Human tooth germ stem cell response to calcium-silicate based endodontic cements

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxic effects of endodontic cements on human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs). MTA Fillapex, a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based, salicylate resin containing root canal sealer, was compared with iRoot SP, a bioceramic sealer, and AH Plus Jet, an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To evaluate cytotoxicity, all materials were packed into Teflon rings (4 mmµ3 mm) and co-cultured with hTGSCs with the aid of 24-well Transwell permeable supports, which had a pore size of 0.4 µm. Coverslips were coated with MTA Fillapex, iRoot SP and AH Plus Jet and each coverslip was placed onto the bottom of one well of a six-well plate for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Before the cytotoxicity and SEM analysis, all samples were stored at 37ºC and at 95% humidity and 5% CO2 for 24 hours to set. The cellular viability was analyzed using MTS test (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium). The cytotoxic effects and SEM visualization of the tested materials were analyzed at 24-hour, 72-hour, one-week and two-week periods. RESULTS: On the 1st day, only MTA Fillapex caused cytotoxicity compared to negative control (NC) group (p;0.05). After 14 days of incubation with the test materials, MTA Fillapex exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity compared with iRoot SP, AH Plus Jet and the NC group (

Individual and Organizational Aspects of UniversityIndustry Relations in Nanotechnology: The Turkish Case

Emerging nanotechnologies bring a new challenge for developing countries to improve knowledge and technology transfer between universities and firms. In developing countries, weaker ties between academia and the industry seem to be one of the main barriers to the dissemination of nanotechnology innovations. This study aims to understand individual and organizational factors affecting university-industry interactions in emerging nanotechnologies in a developing country context, namely Turkey. For this study, 181 questionnaires were collected from a sample of nanoscience and nanotechnology academics who are currently employed by Turkish universities. The results provide that informal / interpersonal and research-related interactions are the most common forms of relationship between academics and firms. On the other hand, the study provides a useful insight to understand how human and social capitals of university-scientists as well as organizational resources/ capabilities influence the formation of links between universities and the industry

Comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of XP-endo Shaper, HyFlex CM, FlexMaster and Race instruments

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of XP-endo Shaper, HyFlex CM, FlexMaster and Race rotary instruments at body temperature (37±1°C). Methods. Twenty XP-endo Shaper (#30/.01), 20 HyFlex CM (#30/.04), 20 FlexMaster (#30/.04) and 20 Race (#30/.04) instruments were tested at body temperature (n=20). The instruments were evaluated in artificial canals with a 3-mm radius of curvature and 60° angle of curvature to the center of the 1.5-mm-wide canal. Each instrument was rotated until fracture occurred and the number of cycles to failure (NCF) recorded. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (P<0.05). Results. The difference in the NCF of all the instruments was statistically significant (P<0.05). The order of the instruments from the highest to the lowest NCF was as follows: XP-endo Shaper (3064.0±248.1), HyFlex CM (1120.5±106.1), FlexMaster (569.8±48.4) and Race (445.5±53.5). Conclusion. Under the limitations of the present study, XP-endo Shaper instruments were more resistant to cyclic fatigue than the #30/.04 nickel-titanium rotary instruments immersed in water at simulated body temperature. Key words: Body temperature, cyclic fatigue, FlexMaster, HyFlex CM, Race, XP-endo Shaper

Ankara İli Bilgi İletişim Teknolojileri Sektörü Yenilik Kapasitesi ve Üniversite-Sanayi İşbirlikleri

Bu bölümde Ankara bölgesinin küresel düzeydeki rekabetçi pozisyonu açısından büyük önem taşıyan Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojileri (BİT) sektörünün mevcut durumunun analiz edilerek, ArGe ve yenilik kapasitesini artırmaya yönelik etkin bir strateji ve politika analizinin hazırlanması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada ilk olarak Türkiye’de BİT sektörünün genel çerçevesi çizilmiş daha sonra da Ankara’da BİT sektöründe faaliyet gösteren paydaşların araştırma ve teknoloji geliştirme faaliyetlerinin sonuçlarına yönelik bir analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu çerçevede bu bölümün amacı Ankara’da BİT sektörünün, sektörün kendinden kaynaklanan güçlü ve zayıf yönleri ile sektör dışından kaynaklanan fırsat ve tehditleri analitik bir yaklaşımla incelemektir. Son olarak yapılan bir saha çalışmasından yararlanılarak Ankara BİT sektörünün rekabetçi gücünü artırmak için politika önerilerinde bulunulmuştur.Publisher's Versio