Convergence of Sectoral Productivity in Turkish Provinces: A Markov Chains Model

this study examines the role that sectors play in aggregate convergence of provincial labor productivity across the 67 provinces of turkey during the 1975-1990 period. a markov chain model is applied to characterize the long-run tendencies of productivity both at the aggregate and sectoral levels. in order to determine the likely sources of aggregate fluctuations, sectoral time-invariant distributions are compared with the aggregate distribution, and those sectors that exhibit similar distribution patterns as that of the aggregate distribution are characterized as dominant sectors. evidence strongly suggests that the aggregate time-invariant distribution is determined mainly by the agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors. specifically, the pattern of polarization of productivity levels in these three sectors is very similar to the pattern prevailing at the aggregate level. the results suggest that, in the long run, two convergence clubs are likely to emerge - one for the agricultural and another for the highly industrialized provinces. an exception is the service sector, which exhibits global convergence.convergence; aggregate and sectoral labor productivity; markov chains

Systems Analysis by Graph-theoretic Techniques: Assessment of Institutional Linkages in the Agricultural Innovation System of Azerbaijan

This paper develops a quantitative, graph-theoretic method for analysing systems of institutions. With an application to the agricultural innovation system of Azerbaijan, the method is illustrated in detail. An assessment of existing institutional linkages in the system suggests that efforts should be placed on the development of intermediary institutions to facilitate quick and effective flow of knowledge between the public and the private components of the system. Furthermore, significant accomplishments are yet to come in policy-making, research and education, and credit institutions.Graph theory, systems approach, agricultural innovation system, Azerbaijan., Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Q2, C8,

SEARCH THEORY RISK PREFERENCE AND FARMLAND PRESERVATION

This paper uses search theory to examine the role that risk preference (RP) plays in farmland preservation. Assuming that the distribution of the offer price is fixed, the analysis indicates that risk-averse agents have lower reservation prices than risk-neutral agents, and that agricultural land held by the former exits farming at a faster rate. The results also show that farmland preservation policies which increase reservation prices have a greater capitalization effect if agents are risk-loving, and that such policies, while effectively protecting the interest of land speculators, may be less effective in serving the needs of farming and farm-held open space.Risk and Uncertainty,

THE ROLE OF FARM OWNERSHIP IN OFF-FARM WORK PARTICIPATION

A labor supply model is used to examine the relationship between farm ownership and operators' participation in the off-farm labor market for the Northeast region. The results indicate that ownership significantly influences operators' off-farm employment participation. In particular, part-owners significantly allocate labor services to off-farm activities. The results also show that the participation rate among part-owner operators is high partly because the availability of other income sources accelerates the process of acquiring assets to become full-owner operators.Labor and Human Capital,

The Family of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Artvin Hatila National Park of Turkey

The faunistical studies on the family Carabidae (Coleoptera) species in Artvin Hatila National Park in Turkey. In this study, totally 32 species belonging to Pterostichinae, Brachininae, Carabinae, Platyninae, Lebiinae, Nebriinae and Harpalinae subfamilies of Carabidae were collected from Artvin province during 2011-2014. Among these, Amara lucida Duftschmid, Amara aulica Panzer, Brachinus elegans Chaudoir, Brachinus crepitans Linné, Carabus scabrosus Olivier, Anisodactylus binotatus Fabricius, Carabus coriaceus Linnaeus, Carabus mulsantianus Paykull, Carabus graecus Dejean, Harpalus affinis Schrank, Harpalus caspius Panzer, Ophonus cribricollis Dejean, Ophonus azureus Fabricius, Ophonus subquadratus Dejean, Pterostichus anthracinum Illiger are the first records from Artvin

Convergence of sectoral productivity in Turkish provinces: Markov Chains model

This study examines the role that sectors play in aggregate convergence of provincial labor productivity across the 67 provinces of turkey during the 1975-1990 period. a markov chain model is applied to characterize the long-run tendencies of productivity both at the aggregate and sectoral levels. in order to determine the likely sources of aggregate fluctuations, sectoral time-invariant distributions are compared with the aggregate distribution, and those sectors that exhibit similar distribution patterns as that of the aggregate distribution are characterized as dominant sectors. evidence strongly suggests that the aggregate time-invariant distribution is determined mainly by the agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors. specifically, the pattern of polarization of productivity levels in these three sectors is very similar to the pattern prevailing at the aggregate level. the results suggest that, in the long run, two convergence clubs are likely to emerge - one for the agricultural and another for the highly industrialized provinces. an exception is the service sector, which exhibits global convergence

Electrical stimulation alleviates depressive-like behaviors of rats: investigation of brain targets and potential mechanisms

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising therapy for patients with refractory depression. However, key questions remain with regard to which brain target(s) should be used for stimulation, and which mechanisms underlie the therapeutic effects. Here, we investigated the effect of DBS, with low- and high-frequency stimulation (LFS, HFS), in different brain regions (ventromedial prefrontal cortex, vmPFC; cingulate cortex, Cg; nucleus accumbens (NAc) core or shell; lateral habenula, LHb; and ventral tegmental area) on a variety of depressive-like behaviors using rat models. In the naive animal study, we found that HFS of the Cg, vmPFC, NAc core and LHb reduced anxiety levels and increased motivation for food. In the chronic unpredictable stress model, there was a robust depressive-like behavioral phenotype. Moreover, vmPFC HFS, in a comparison of all stimulated targets, produced the most profound antidepressant effects with enhanced hedonia, reduced anxiety and decreased forced-swim immobility. In the following set of electrophysiological and histochemical experiments designed to unravel some of the underlying mechanisms, we found that vmPFC HFS evoked a specific modulation of the serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), which have long been linked to mood. Finally, using a neuronal mapping approach by means of c-Fos expression, we found that vmPFC HFS modulated a brain circuit linked to the DRN and known to be involved in affect. In conclusion, HFS of the vmPFC produced the most potent antidepressant effects in naive rats and rats subjected to stress by mechanisms also including the DRN.postprin