Testing for structural change in the bilateral trade elasticities of Turkey

This paper estimates the bilateral trade equations of Turkey and its major trading countries by using the Gregory and Hansen procedure. We allowed for a structural break at an unknown date within the Gregory and Hansen (GH) framework and obtained a cointegrating relationship especially between variables in the export and import demand equations at the bilateral level. The empirical analysis of the exchange rate and income elasticity of trade demand, over the period 1982-2007, is presented and discussed

Bilateral Trade Elasticities of Turkey

This paper investigates the long-run bilateral trade elasticities of Turkey and its major trading countries. In the long run, Turkish bilateral trade is inelastic (with varying sign). Thus, the devaluation or revaluation of the Turkish Lira should be expected to have only a limited impact on Turkey’s trade balance. On the other hand, Turkish trade is income elastic in the long run but income inelastic in the short run. Nevertheless, the Marshall-Lerner condition is satisfied only for Canada, South Korea and the US. Furthermore, switching to the euro has reduced Turkish imports from the EU members and emerging market crises tend to increase Turkish imports

Determinants of current account in the EU: the relation between internal and external balances in the new members

This paper considers the major determinants of the current account in the new members of the EU. It examines the long-run and short-run impact of real exchange rate, investment, private and public savings on current account. The bounds testing autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration is used and the results indicate that twin deficit exists; in another words, government budget deficit shocks have led to deficit in current accounts in Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Slovakia for the considered period. At the same time, empirical evidence was found that private savings, investment and real exchange rate are key variables as well, causing changes in the current account in the long-run as well as in the short-run. Finally, stability tests were applied to the model indicating no evidence of any structural instability in the model of these countries

Revisiting the Twin Deficit Hypothesis for the Economies of Europe

This study presents empirical evidence linking the current account balance to its major determinants such as exchange rate, interest rate and budget balance in 7 of the EU member countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal and Spain. Using the panel version of various cointegration tests, we find a long-run relationship between the current account and its determinants. The long-run coefficient of the interest rate is found statistically significant in all estimation techniques. On the other hand, weak evidence is found for the existence of the twin deficit hypothesis

Monetary Approach to Exchange Rate Determination: The Case of Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan and Turkey, 1986-2006

This study evaluates the short-run and long-run performance of the monetary model approach of exchange rate determination for the emerging economies like Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan and Turkey. The study is based on whether there is a cointegration relationship between the nominal exchange rate and the monetary variables such as the money supply, the output, the nominal interest rate and the price differentials. Various estimation techniques are used for testing long-run relationship both for single-country analysis and panel analysis

Determinants of the Current Account in the Eu and PIIGS

This paper investigates the relationship between current account balance and national savings, investment, budget deficit, and real exchange rate. These determinants of the current account are studied empirically by applying the Generalized Method of Moments for a sample of 24 European countries. The sample data are divided into three different groups, PIIGS, EU-PIIGS, and EU in order to study the group-specific estimations. The main result of the paper is that the determinants of our model are capable of accurately explaining past movements in current accounts for all selected groups. Additionally, current account determinants in the economically weak members, PIIGS, behave slightly differently from the rest of the EU

Zeolitization of Tuffaceous Rocks in the Kesan Region, Thrace, Turkey

A 33 metre thick pyroclastic-rich zone of the Mezardere formation of Oligocene age is exposed in the Kesan region of Thrace, Turkey. In this zone, vitreous tuffs of dacitic composition have altered primarily to zeolites, including mordenite, heulandite–clinoptilolite and analcime. Silicification and alteration to clay minerals are common. Zeolite minerals have developed from volcanic glass, whereas some mordenites have formed from dissolution of heulandite-group zeolites. Although authigenic mineral paragenesis does not vary laterally, there is a marked vertical variation, particularly in zeolites. Mordenite (+heulandite–clinoptilolite) and analcime do not coexist and have formed in different stratigraphic levels. This suggests that their chemical environment is controlled by different hydrologic systems. Whole rock composition shows the relationship between chemistry and secondary mineralogy. For example, whole rock trace element geochemistry indicates the natural selectivities of zeolites. There is also stratigraphic control on the chemistry and texture of mordenites. Specifically, (Na+K)/(Ca+Mg) ratios of mordenites decrease from the lower to the upper levels. Mordenites of the lower level show a fibrous habit while the upper level mordenites are needle-like in shape. The average Si/Al ratio in mordenites is 3.90, in heulandite-group minerals 3.95, and in analcimes 2.34

CONCOMITANT GASTRIC AND LUNG UPTAKE OF TC-99M MDP ON BONE SCAN IN A PATIENT WITH DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL NON-HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA

Extra osseous uptake of Tc-99m Methylene Di Phosphonate (MDP) is not an uncommon finding on skeletal scintigraphy. However, concomitant lung and gastric uptake is a rare presentation. We presented a case report of a young male whose bone scan revealed lung and stomach uptake with a cold lesion over T7 vertebra. CT guided biopsy revealed diffuse large B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Lung and gastric uptake of Tc-99m MDP on bone scan guides the reporting physician about the soft tissue calcinosis due to hypercalcemia associated with either malignant or non-malignant conditions

Competencia comunicativa en los estudiantes de medicina: diagnóstico preliminar / Communicative competence in medical students: its initial diagnosis

El trabajo presenta los resultados de un diagnóstico preliminar sobre la competencia comunicativa en estudiantes de medicina, y es parte de una investigación acerca del desarrollo de esta competencia en los médicos en formación; que persigue el objetivo de diagnosticar la competencia comunicativa en los estudiantes de medicina del tercer año de la carrera, que residen en el municipio de Pinar del Río. Se empleó el método histórico-lógico, que permite hacer una síntesis teórica del proceso de formación de la competencia comunicativa en el individuo en su desarrollo histórico y social, así como de las regularidades y componentes de este proceso. A partir de ahí, se elaboró un instrumento de autoevaluación de los sujetos de la muestra que conforma el campo de la investigación, que se analizó empleando el método estadístico. Como resultado se constata el insuficiente nivel de desarrollo de la competencia comunicativa en los sujetos de la muestra, con solo un 38 %, que califican con el dominio de las habilidades mínimas que necesitan para lograr una comunicación de calidad con sus interlocutores, lo que debe formar parte de su desempeño profesional. El trabajo permite una constatación del problema, además de servir de pilotaje para evaluar la efectividad del instrumento de autoevaluación empleado, que arroja una fiabilidad significativa que abarca el 78% de los encuestados.Palabras clave: COMUNICACIÓN, HISTORIA, LENGUAJE, COMPETENCIA PROFESIONAL/métodos, ESTUDIANTES, EDUCACIÓN.ABSTRACTThis paper presents the results of an initial diagnosis concerning communicative competence in medical students, it  is part of a research about the development of this competence when training medical doctors; having the purpose to diagnose the communicative competence of the medical students enroll in third academic year of medical studies living in Pinar del Rio municipality. Historical-logical method was used, that allows making a theoretical synthesis of the communicative competence in the formation process of the individual within the historical and social development, its regularities and components. Considering these points, an instrument to self-evaluate the subjects included in the sample was created, comprising the field of the research and using the statistical method to analyze it. Results showed an insufficient development of the communicative competence. Only 38% classified into the minimal skills needed to achieve a quality in communication with their interlocutors, which should be part of their professional performance. This paper verified the existence of the problem, besides it was useful to evaluate the effectiveness of the instrument for self-evaluation, having this a significant reliability that covered the 78% of the students interviewed.Key words: COMMUNICATION, HISTORY, LANGUAGE, PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE/methods, STUDENTS, EDUCATION

Skewed X inactivation in an X linked nystagmus family resulted from a novel, p.R229G, missense mutation in the FRMD7 gene

Aims: This study aimed to identify the underlying genetic defect of a large Turkish X linked nystagmus (NYS) family. Methods: Both Xp11 and Xq26 loci were tested by linkage analysis. The 12 exons and intron-exon junctions of the FRMD7 gene were screened by direct sequencing. X chromosome inactivation analysis was performed by enzymatic predigestion of DNA with a methylation-sensitive enzyme, followed by PCR of the polymorphic CAG repeat of the androgen receptor gene. Results: The family contained 162 individuals, among whom 28 had NYS. Linkage analysis confirmed the Xq26 locus. A novel missense c.686C>G mutation, which causes the substitution of a conserved arginine at amino acid position 229 by glycine (p.R229G) in exon 8 of the FRMD7 gene, was observed. This change was not documented in 120 control individuals. The clinical findings in a female who was homozygous for the mutation were not different from those of affected heterozygous females. Skewed X inactivation was remarkable in the affected females of the family. Conclusions: A novel p.R229G mutation in the FRMD7 gene causes the NYS phenotype, and skewed X inactivation influences the manifestation of the disease in X linked NYS females