Effect of brand value announcements on stock returns: empirical evidence from Turkey

This study examines the effects of brand value announcements on stock returns of Turkish firms by using the event study methodology and long-term risk adjusted port-folio returns. We examined the stock-price impacts of 299 brand value announcements on the stock market performance of the firms within the years of 2010–2014 by using BrandFinance Turkey’s 100 ranking list as a data source. The findings indicate that the companies listed in the Turkey Top 100 Brands list earn positive abnormal returns 7 months after the announcement. Similarly, the companies which had greater brand values relative to the previous year, experienced significant positive abnormal returns in the 7-months period. Additional findings suggest that investors are able to beat the market in the long run regarding risk-adjusted returns by consistently investing in the Top Brands. Overall, the study demonstrates new evidence to the marketing-finance interface by focusing on the Turkish case as an important emerging market

Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular diastolic function in pulmonary hypertension

Background: Right ventricular (RV) diastolic dysfunction may be prognostic in pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, its assessment is complex and relies on conductance catheterisation. We aimed to evaluate echocardiography-based parameters as surrogates of RV diastolic function, provide validation against the gold standard, end-diastolic elastance (Eed), and define the prognostic impact of echocardiography-derived RV diastolic dysfunction. Methods: Patients with suspected PH who underwent right heart catheterisation including conductance catheterisation were prospectively recruited. In this study population, an echocardiography-based RV diastolic function surrogate was derived. Survival analyses were performed in patients with precapillary PH in the Giessen PH Registry, with external validation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension at Sapienza University (Rome). Results: In the derivation cohort (n=61), the early/late diastolic tricuspid inflow velocity ratio (E/A) and early tricuspid inflow velocity/early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity ratio (E/e') did not correlate with Eed (p>0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a large area under the curve (AUC) for the peak lateral tricuspid annulus systolic velocity/right atrial area index ratio (S'/RAAi) to detect elevated Eed (AUC 0.913, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.839-0.986) and elevated end-diastolic pressure (AUC 0.848, 95% CI 0.699-0.998) with an optimal threshold of 0.81 m2·s-1·cm-1. Subgroup analyses demonstrated a large AUC in patients with preserved RV systolic function (AUC 0.963, 95% CI 0.882-1.000). Survival analyses confirmed the prognostic relevance of S'/RAAi in the Giessen PH Registry (n=225) and the external validation cohort (n=106). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the usefulness of echocardiography-derived S'/RAAi for noninvasive assessment of RV diastolic function and prognosis in PH

Phenotyping male infertility in the mouse: how to get the most out of a ‘non-performer’

BACKGROUND: Functional male gametes are produced through complex processes that take place within the testis, epididymis and female reproductive tract. A breakdown at any of these phases can result in male infertility. The production of mutant mouse models often yields an unexpected male infertility phenotype. It is with this in mind that the current review has been written. The review aims to act as a guide to the 'non-reproductive biologist' to facilitate a systematic analysis of sterile or subfertile mice and to assist in extracting the maximum amount of information from each model. METHODS: This is a review of the original literature on defects in the processes that take a mouse spermatogonial stem cell through to a fully functional spermatozoon, which result in male infertility. Based on literature searches and personal experience, we have outlined a step-by-step strategy for the analysis of an infertile male mouse line. RESULTS: A wide range of methods can be used to define the phenotype of an infertile male mouse. These methods range from histological methods such as electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, to hormone analyses and methods to assess sperm maturation status and functional competence. CONCLUSION: With the increased rate of genetically modified mouse production, the generation of mouse models with unexpected male infertility is increasing. This manuscript will help to ensure that the maximum amount of information is obtained from each mouse model and, by extension, will facilitate the knowledge of both normal fertility processes and the causes of human infertility

The Perceptions of Globalization at a Public Research University Computer Science Graduate Department

Based on a qualitative methodological approach, this study focuses on the understanding of a phenomenon called globalization in a research university computer science department. The study looks into the participants' perspectives about the department, its dynamics, culture and academic environment as related to globalization. The economic, political, academic and social/cultural aspects of the department are taken into consideration in investigating the influences of globalization.Three questions guide this inquiry: 1) How is the notion of globalization interpreted in this department? 2) How does the perception of globalization influence the department in terms of finances, academics, policies and social life And 3) How are these perceptions influence the selection of students? Globalization and neo-institutional view of legitimacy is used as theoretical lenses to conceptualize responses to these questions.The data include interviews, field notes, official and non-official documents. Interpretations of these data are compared to findings from prior research on the impact of globalization in order to clarify and validate findings.Findings show that there is disagreement in how the notion of globalization is interpreted between the doctoral students and the faculty in the department. This disagreement revealed the attitudes and interpretations of globalization in the light of the policies and procedures related to the department. How the faculty experience globalization is not consistent with the literature in this project. The literature states that globalization is a big part of higher education and it is a phenomenon that causes the changes in the goals and missions of higher education institutions (Knight, 2003, De Witt, 2005). The data revealed that globalization is not the cause for change but more of a consequence of actions that take place in achieving the goals and missions of the department

Comet Assay for Determining of DNA Damage: Review

DNA is the target of many reactive molecules and it is prone to be damaged easily. DNA damage may be resulted either from spontaneously during DNA metabolism or effects of some environmental factors. There are repair mechanisms for DNA damage in cell nucleus since the prevention of DNA structure is extremely important for conducting the genetic information. When a heavy damage occurs or repair mechanisms are defective, DNA damage results in inhibition of replication, transcription or protein synthesis in short term, however in long term, this damage may lead to mutation and chromosomal anomalies. DNA damage which is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis, is being evaluated as the biological marker in assessment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, determining the radiation and xenobiotic mediated genotoxicity as well as follow up of chronical degenerative diseases. Therefore, techniques that enable the sensitive measurement of DNA damage became important recently. Comet assay is a fast, non invasive, sensitive fluorescent technique, which is being used for detecting DNA damage on single cell level and also determining the amount of damage. After its introduction in 1988 as "Alcaline Comet Assay", it has been developed with many modifications and became a workable technique for detecting a variety of DNA damages. As comet assay was being utilized in aging, molecular epidemiology, clinical and genetic toxicology, recently it is placed also in research of apoptosis and oxidative stress-antioxidants. Current review aims to give information about comet assay and its applications as well as help to propagate its use

Architectural Identity in Changing Historical Areas: The Street Facades in Talimhane

Tourism is an important way of presenting a city’s cultural assets to the outside world and assisting in transferring such cultural wealth to new generations. However, a negative enviromental effect of tourism is the changing of a street’s historical building facades due to new functions required of it by the industry Talimhane district is selected as a key study to exemplify the adverse effects of building alterations in the historical areas. Talimhane is an area in which Early Republican buildings can be found and it has a special pattern that differs from surrounding areas. Changes over time and the conversion in exchange for the benefits of tourism in Talimhane’s streets are the barriers to maintaning the historical value of the area. The purpose of this study is to analyse data on building facades for the approaches of maintaining the integrity of architectural heritage spaces which are being transformed by tourism

In situ Green Synthesis of Cellulose based Silver Nanocomposite and its Catalytic Dye Removal Potential Against Methylene Blue

Pollution of water by leaking industrial dyes has become a major problem for aquatic organisms and human-being. Polluted water treatment methods need efficient alternatives to conventional dye removing techniques. In this study, the catalytic activity of cellulose based silver nanocomposite against the pollutant methylene blue dye was searched. Cellulose based silver nanocomposite was synthesized by using in situ green synthesis method with Laurus nobilis extract. UV-VIS, FTIR, SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, BET analyses were used to characterization of synthesized nanocomposite. Electron microscopy results confirmed that 25 nm diameter silver nanoparticles were supporting the 25 nm width cellulose nanofibers. Elemental composition of confirmed by UV-VIS, FTIR, XRD and EDS results which including silver and cellulose specific peaks. BET results showed that nanocomposite have 11.1 nm pore size with 199,8508 m(2)/g specific surface area. Catalytic activity of nanocomposite was performed against methylene blue in the presence of NaBH4. Catalytic activity was traced for up to 120 min and complete removal of methylene blue dye was estimated as 1 h. Moreover, the recycled nanocomposite was found reusable without activity loss for three times. These results offer an easy, eco-friendly and reusable dye removing material for wastewaters which were polluted by industrial dyes