Status In Turkey Research Articles

Vitamin A status of healthy children in Manisa, Turkey

BackgroundVitamin A deficiency is a major public health nutrition problem in the developing world. Even subclinical Vitamin A deficiency is associated with increased childhood mortality. Severe maternal vitamin A deficiency may cause increased mortality in the first months of life. There have been a limited number of studies regarding vitamin A status in Turkey. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin A status of healthy children in Manisa, Turkey.MethodsVitamin A status of 100 healthy children aged 36-48 months is evaluated. The children were seen during routine examination. Serum retinol concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Duration of breast feeding, age solid foods introduced, use of supplementary vitamins, weight and height, and intake of specific groups of nutrients on a daily, weekly and monthly basis were collected from a questionnaire completed by the mothers. Height and weight z-scores were calculated according to national standards. Mothers of 20 of the 100 children were known to have normal serum and breast milk retinol concentrations. Children with normal serum retinol concentration were compared with the children with VAD. Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare independent variables. The Pearson correlation analysis test was used to test relation between numeric variables.ResultsMean retinol concentration was 0.98 ± 0.32 μmol/L in the whole study group. Serum retinol concentrations were normal (>0.70 μmol/L) in 89% of the children. When children with normal serum retinol concentrations were compared with those with retinol concentrations lower than 0.70 μmol/L, there was no difference in terms of age, gender, weight and height at the time of study, z-scores, birth weight, birth length, duration of breast feeding, time to begin solid food, rate of supplementary vitamin use, and rate of infections (P > 0.05). There was not any relation between vitamin A concentrations and weight and height at the time of study, z-scores, birth weight, birth length, duration of breast feeding, time to begin solid food, vitamin use, and frequency of intake of specific groups of nutrients (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThis study showed that VAD is a moderate health problem in Manisa.

TURKEY'S NUCLEAR COMEBACK

As worries have grown about global warming and the sustainability and price of fossil fuels, the demand for nuclear energy has increased, and nuclear power is increasingly viewed as a reliable and clean resource. However, the so-called nuclear renaissance coincides with an international security environment in which the norms of nuclear nonproliferation seem to be eroding. Turkey, a non-nuclear weapon state, plans to generate nuclear power to meet future energy demands, but it is aware of and concerned with regional proliferation trends. Questions have also been raised regarding Ankara's rationale for using nuclear energy, as well as its potential motivations and capabilities regarding future proliferation. This article will provide an overview of Turkey's nuclear energy history and plans, as well as the proliferation-related questions that could arise; it will also look at the domestic debate on nuclear energy and Turkey's status as a non-nuclear weapon state.

Potential Analysis of Wind Energy as a Power Generation Source

Wind energy as a power generation source is one of the most significant and rapidly developing renewable energy sources in the world. Because wind energy potential in various parts of Turkey is becoming economical, it is necessary to determine to start the immediate usage of the wind energy potential and the investigation of the necessary techniques and economic feasibility. In this study, wind energy status in Turkey is examined briefly and the possible wind energy potential in Eskisehir, Turkey is investigated using the data collected in the observation station established at Iki Eylul Campus of Anadolu University between the dates of July 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006.

Geothermal Energy: Current Status in Turkey with EU Perspective

The world's growing energy demands carry the energy into an important stage. Crude oil will be able to supply increasing demand until peak world production is reached. Forecasts show that this peak time is about 2020. Turkey and the world will deplete economically recoverable fossil resources by the end of the 21st century. The energy gap caused by declining fossil resources has to be filled by expanding production of other sources. Geothermal energy is one of the most important options for filling this gap. Turkey is located in the Alp Himalayan Tectonic Belt and has high potential geothermally. In fact, Turkey is the seventh country in the world while the first country in Europe of the abundance of geothermal resources. In this article, the history and development of geothermal, its application, and current situations in the world and the situation in Turkey with European Union perspective are examined by giving the facts and statistical information for the last 10-year period.

"Prospective-Turks" or "Pseudo-Citizens:" Kurds in Turkey

This article explores the images and status of Turkish-citizen Kurds in Turkey. Kurds in Turkey mostly have been seen as prospective-Turks and accordingly have been subject to the assimilationist practices of throughout the Republican period. However, recent signs suggest that this image and status of the Kurds are not as secure as they once were. Kurds are now perceived by many as pseudo-citizens. A historical reading of practices in Turkey indicates that this change in the Kurds' image may be accompanied by a change in their status and that they may now be subject to the discriminatory practices of citizenship. The article concludes with an argument as to why such a fundamental change has taken place in the image and status of Kurds in Turkey. Portraying the status of Kurds vis a vis is not easy. This is because Kurds' status in Turkey's (national-) political community always has been ambiguous. Although the Kurds have, in principle, been considered proper members of the Turkish nation, there are instances in which Kurds were seen as outside of the circle of Turkishness. The ambiguity in question is due mainly to several factors. First, legal as a formal status has never been the sole marker of in Turkey. In other words, there always has been a gap between Turkishness as citizenship and Turkishness as such. Secondly, Turkish itself has not been a firm category. Instead, as I will argue, Turkish has, from the beginning of the Republic, oscillated between an ethnic and a political definition of the (Turkish) nation. Accordingly, the status of Turkish-citizen Kurds, with respect to the Turkish nation or to the political community in Turkey, has been blurred. Kurds have been subject to both the assimilationist and discriminatory practices of citizenship, which undoubtedly drew legitimacy from the oscillation in question. However, the ambiguity in the status of Kurds vis a vis is due mostly to the fact that the Turkish state, or the establishment1 in Turkey, has not maintained a stable image of Kurds. The most appropriate term to define this unstable image and perception of Kurds is prospective-Turks. As prospective-Turks, or potential members of the Turkish ethno-cultural community, Kurds have long been considered a part of the (national-) political community, i.e. a part of as defined by citizenship. Citizenship practices that Kurds have enjoyed have been shaped accordingly. Like many other inhabitants of the country who are considered prospective-Turks (Circassians or Bosnians, for instance), Kurds mainly have been subject to the assimilationist practices of citizenship. In other words, Kurds have, in principle, been invited to become Turkish. Nevertheless, the idea that Kurds are prospective-Turks always has left open the way to a counter-perception that Kurds may not become Turkish. In certain cases this counter-perception has prevailed over the assimilationist one. When this happened, Kurds were considered as outside of the circle of Turkishness, and were left subject to the discriminatory practices of citizenship. In general, however, Kurds have been regarded as a part of the circle of and have been subject to intense Turkification. In other words, the idea that Kurds are prospective-Turks has worked almost as a meta-image during the Republican period. However, today's current images concerning Kurds indicate that this meta-image is not as stable as it has been. Accordingly, this article examines the shifts in the public images of Kurds in Turkey. Yet, before investigating why the meta-image of Kurds as prospective-Turks is being challenged, it is first necessary to see how this image emerged and became dominant. Kurds as Prospective-Turks While Kurds have, in principle, been considered prospective-Turks throughout the Republican period, the image of Kurds during the years leading up to and including the inception of the Republic (the early 1920s) was different. …

Current iodine status In Turkey

To evaluate the current nationwide iodine status in Turkey by determining urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) and household salt iodine content. A follow- up monitoring study was also conducted in 30 urban areas. A school-based survey was conducted in 2007 by using multistage 'proportionate to population size' (PPS) cluster sampling method. The study population was composed of 900 school-age children (SAC) from different urban, suburban, and rural areas. UIC and iodine content of the table salt used at home were analyzed. Median UIC was 107 microg/l (147 in urban, 42 in suburban and rural areas, p<0.001). There were severe iodine deficiency (ID) in 7.2%, moderate and mild ID in 20.6% and 19.3%, of the SAC, respectively. UIC was sufficient (>100 microg/l) in 50% of the study population, whereas it was excessive (>300 microg/l) in 10.5% of them. Of the 900 salt samples, 662 (73.5%) were iodized and 508 samples (56.5%) contained adequately iodized salt (iodine content >15 ppm). UIC of the study population and salt iodine levels correlated well (r=0.42, p<0.001). Moderate to severe ID still exists in 27.8% of the Turkish population, which is much better compared to 1997 and 2002 surveys (i.e. 58%, 38.9%, respectively). The follow-up monitoring study (in 2007) demonstrated that ID has been eliminated in 20 of 30 cities surveyed, and median UIC was 130 microg/l. ID has been eliminated in most of the urban population, however, it is still an important problem in rural areas and in particular geographical regions, which should be the target of future programs.

The treatment of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma: Improved survival in a developing country

Background. To evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcome of children with Hodgkin lymphoma in a developing country over a period of 34 years. Methods. This paper retrospectively evaluates the treatment and prognosis of 614 children with Hodgkin lymphoma disease between 1971 and 2005. All patients were treated with chemotherapy, and also received radiotherapy. Results. There were 452 males and 162 females with a median age of 8 years (2 to 21); 183 patients had B symptoms. There were 165, 185, 145, and 119 patients in stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Histopathologic subtypes were mixed cellularity (344 patients), nodular sclerosis (90), lymphocytic predominance (62), lymphocytic depletion (46), unclassified types (69), and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (3). Overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 83 and 60%, though OS rates varied according to chemotherapy protocol; age; presence of B symptoms, leukocytosis, anemia, and extranodal involvement; and stage at diagnosis. Over the years, the median age of patients increased, as did the frequency of the nodular sclerosing type of disease. Conclusions. This is one of the largest series in a single center. The increase in the median age and in the frequency of the nodular-sclerosing type are thought to be related to the development status of Turkey. The ABVD protocol yielded the best survival rates and should be used for treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Usage of Underground Space for 3D Cadastre Purposes and Related Problems in Turkey.

Modern cities have been trying to meet their needs for space by using not only surface structures but also by considering subsurface space use. It is also anticipated that without planning of underground spaces for supporting surface city life in the years and generations to come, there will be serious and unavoidable problems with growing populations. The current Turkish cadastral system, including land right registrations, has been trying to meet users' needs in all aspects since 1924. Today Turkey's national cadastre services are carried out by the General Directorate of Land Titles and Cadastre (TKGM). The Cadastre Law, Number 3402, was approved in 1985 to eliminate problems by gathering all existing cadastral regulations under one law and also to produce 3D cadastral bases to include underground spaces and determine their legal status in Turkey. Although the mandate for 3D cadastre works is described and explained by the laws, until now the bases have been created in 2D and the reality is that legal gaps and deficiencies presently exist in them. In this study, the usage of underground spaces for the current cadastral system in Turkey was briefly evaluated, the concept of 3D cadastral data is examined and the need for using subsurface and 3D cadastre in addition to the traditional 2D register system, related problems and registration are mentioned with specific examples, but without focusing on a specific model.

The Impact of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on Turkey's EU Candidacy

The main purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on Turkey's bid for membership with the European Union. The main hypothesis of the present study considers the objectives of the EU and examines whether its policy regarding the issue of human rights in Turkey is, indeed, based upon the efficacy of the liberal assumption that there is a genuine link between democracy, respect for human rights and international stability. In any other case, the issue of human rights might have been manipulated as a precondition that instead of determining Turkey's status, merely delays the processing of her application while keeping her at a close distance.

Investigation of threatened arable weeds and their conservation status in Turkey

SummaryAgronomic operations carried out in arable lands may cause changes in weed populations and also decrease the number of animal species that depend on these weed species. An emerging paradigm is the conservation and sustainability of weed species. In this study, risk status of arable weeds in Turkey was evaluated and it was determined that 112 of them (76 endemic and 36 non‐endemic species) were at risk according to the IUCN Red List. Turkey is extremely diverse, with over 3000 endemic plant species out of nearly 12 000 recorded. Considering endemic weeds, they are classified in the following risk categories: critically endangered (four weed species), endangered (EN) (six), vulnerable (VU) (14), near threatened (seven), least concern (41) and data deficient (DD) (four species). Among the non‐endemic weeds, three species are EN, 31 VU and two are DD. The families with the highest threatened weed species are Scrophulariaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Lamiaceae. The identification of weed species in arable habitats and their risk status is a useful tool for assessing and monitoring how the sustainability of weed populations is affected by farming practices. The results show the necessity of adopting new environment‐friendly agricultural methods to conserve the high number of endemic weed species under threat in Turkey.

Evaluation of hazelnut kernel oil of Turkish origin as alternative fuel in diesel engines

In the present study, hazelnut kernel oil of Turkish origin was evaluated as alternative fuel in a diesel engine. Potential hazelnut production throughout the world and the status of Turkey were examined. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) kernel oil was transesterified with methanol using potassium hydroxide as catalyst to obtain hazelnut kernel oil methyl ester (HOME) and a comprehensive experimental investigation was carried out to examine performance and emissions of a direct injection diesel engine running with HOME and its blends with diesel fuel. Experimental parameters included the percentage of HOME in the blend, engine load, injection timing, compression ratio, and injector. The cost analysis of HOME production comparing to the price of conventional diesel fuel was performed for last decade was performed. Results showed that HOME and its blends with diesel fuel are generally comparable to diesel fuel and small modifications such as increasing injection timing, compression ratio and injector opening pressure provide significant improvement in performance and emissions. It is also expected that the price of HOME will be lower than the price of conventional diesel fuel in the near future.

Analysis of Altered Mental Status in Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and etiology of altered mental status in adults at an Emergency Department. Medical records of 790 patients with altered mental status were reviewed. Out of 790 patients, 414 (52.3%) were male, 376 (47.7%) were female. Mean age was 45.65 ± 15.5 years. Etiologic factors were neurological (n = 566; 71.6%), head trauma (n = 82; 10.4%), endocrine/metabolic (n = 48; 6.1%), cardiovascular/pulmonary (n = 49; 6.2%), infectious (n = 30; 3.8%), gynecologic and obstetric (n = 2; 0. 4%), toxicologic (n = 12; 1.5%). Of patients, 40% were in deep coma, 11% were confused, 20% were in agitated confusion, 15% were lethargic, and 14% were in stupor. Eighteen percent of were hypertensive. Total mortality rate was 20.1% (n = 159). Common causes of death were cerebrovascular disease and trauma. Most patients presenting with altered mental status seem to be elderly with the most frequent cause being cerebrovascular accidents. Fatality rate is very high.

Synopsis of Turkish Acantholimon Boiss. (Plumbaginaceae)

A synopsis of Acantholimon in Turkey is given on the basis of a revisional study conducted in Turkey by the authors. An account of 52 species, ten subspecies, and 17 varieties is given, including keys to the species, subspecies, and varieties, and a general indication of their distribution, as well as their conservation status in Turkey. Seven new taxa, namely A. ekimii sp. nov., A. capitatum ssp. sivasicum ssp. nov., A. calvertii var. glabrum var. nov., A. huetii var. breviscapum var. nov., A. acerosum ssp. longibracteolorum ssp. nov., A. lycaonicum ssp. cappadocicum ssp. nov., and A. halophilum var. coloratum var. nov., are described, together with a few new combinations. A. wiedemannii, A. iconicum, and A. lycaonicum, described from Turkey in the past, but placed under other species as synonyms in the Flora of Turkey, are recognized once again as good species. A. multiflorum and A. parviflorum are given a species status. In Turkey, the presence of A. latifolium, A. araxanum, A. lepturoides, A. hohenackerii, A. senganense, A. fominii, A. petraeum, and A. tragacanthinum is also confirmed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 154, 397–419.

Simple Correlations for Estimating the Energy Production of Turkey

Industrialization and population increases make the availability of potential energy in most areas a problem of great importance. Energy is considered to be a prime agent in the generation of wealth and also a significant factor in economic development. Most of the locations in Turkey have abundant energy resources, and energy utilization technologies can be profitably applied to these regions. In this study, we analyze the current status of Turkey's energy resources in terms of energy production and present simple corrections with high correlation coefficients for future projections. It is expected that this study will he helpful in developing highly applicable and productive planning for energy policies.

Transformations in Security and Identity after the Cold War

INTRODUCTIONTurkey's relationship with the European Union (EU) is a particularly difficult one. The 1990s witnessed the transformation of the European Community into the EU and its subsequent enlargement. When Turkey was not included in the enlargement process, even though the EU opened accession negotiations with all the countries of central and eastern Europe and with Malta and Cyprus, Turkey's relations with the EU deteriorated. The situation was unsettling for Turkey, which wanted to be part of Europe and a member of the EU. At its Helsinki summit in December 1999, the Council of the European Union elevated Turkey's status from that of an applicant to that of a candidate. Nevertheless, Turkey remained the only candidate country with which the EU did not open accession negotiations.It is our contention that the ambivalence in Turkey's relations with the EU is a result of transformations in European security and identity since the end of the cold war, a transition period in which the changing systemic parameters challenged Turkey's position in Europe and when centuries-old questions about Turkey's 'Europeanness' resurfaced.This article attempts to answer the following questions: what impact does the reformulation of European security have on Turkey? Is European identity being redefined in such a way that Turkey is excluded? Do reformulations of security and identity in Europe further complicate the difficult relationship between Turkey and the EU?Our approach is, of course, only one way of looking at Turkish-EU relations. One could argue that Turkey's inclusion in the EU is problematic not only because of the factors analyzed in this article, but also because of Turkey's economic problems, its shortcomings in upholding democratic principles, the Kurdish issue, the Cyprus problem, or the size of its population. These factors all pose serious obstacles to Turkey's integration into the EU. However, since some of the other countries with which the EU is currently negotiating have serious economic and political problems of their own, one must conclude that there is another variable in the equation in the case of Turkey. Because Turkey is not even in the same basket as Romania or Bulgaria, it is our contention that that variable is the reformulation of European identity in the post-cold war era. We acknowledge that the EU may have taken other factors into consideration in its expansion talks, such as stabilizing the fragile political environment in the prospective member countries and the fact that it is easier to absorb some of them because of their size. Nonetheless, we believe that the perspective in this article sheds new light on Turkey's relations with the EU.Post-cold war Europe has witnessed two parallel developments in security and identity. The first is the transformation in European security that is the result of a re-projection of the 'Western security community' inherited from the cold war. A cold war collective defence system has been transformed into a system of collective security. But the tools used to build this new structure - a European Security Architecture(1) - come from the old cold war institutions. Collective security is carried out by this new structure through the wider promotion of the Western values of democracy and free markets in the belief that the spread of these values and the acceptance of the institutions that guard them will yield stability in Europe's peripheral regions.During the cold war, Turkey belonged to the 'Western security community.' Thus, its identity as part of Europe in that period centred on the issue of security. In the post-cold war era, Turkey is still considered a component of the European Security Architecture. At the same time, its Europeanness is increasingly questioned. Indeed, it is the only country within the European Security Architecture that is challenged on this issue. The paradox is that, although Turkey fully participates in the European Security Architecture, even here it encounters problems because it is excluded from the EU's evolving defence arm - CESDP (Common European Security and Defence Policy) - which is part of this architecture. …

Evaluation of various aspects of paediatric malignancies in Turkey and Turkey's status in health statistics

Geographic differences in childhood cancer occurrence have been of great interest and have contributed to the current notion that most cancer cases are caused by environmental and cultural factors. The toxins, some of which are encountered by the general population, such as commonly used drugs, household products, solvents, pesticides, and insecticides, have been implicated as carcinogens and are factors that may add to the childhood cancer incidence in Turkey. Lack of information relevant to the disease, low family income, low educational status of parents, cessation of therapy, uncertainty about the child's future, fear for the child's survival, anxiety over the treatment and its effect as well as some cultural and traditional factors, are the basic individual characteristics of the population that interfere with the successful treatment of children with cancer in Turkey. Because the child with cancer is under enormous physical and emotional stress, appropriate psychosocial resources for the patient and family are important for optimal therapy. Community resources, healthcare services, income maintenance, medical insurance, financial assistance for treatment expenditures for the families who have children with cancer are extremely limited. These parameters are the unanswered needs which cancer patients and families face in our society. Despite impressive improvements, major problems remain to be solved.

The status of the Red Knot,Calidris canutus, in the Middle East

Abstract Records of Red Knot Calidris canutus in the Middle East are listed and analysed in the light of former perceptions of its status. Special reference is made to its status in Turkey, from where most recent records come. The species is probably more regular through the western third of the region than thought previously and there has also been a recent trend towards winter occurrences.

Recent developments in East-West migration: Turkey and the petty traders.

The authors analyze contemporary migration movements in Turkey, with a focus on labor migrants and Turkey's status as a receiving country. Recent migration trends to Turkey are briefly reviewed, and implications within the context of emerging East-West migration policies are considered. (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA)

Heterozygous carriers of classical phenylketonuria in a sample of the turkish population: Detection by a spectrofluorimetric method

Blood obtained by finger prick from 209 presumed normal homozygotes and 42 heterozygotes for classical PKU was analyzed for plasma phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr) by a fluorimetric method. Subjects were tested near midday and 3 hours after a protein-rich breakfast. The plot of Phe/Tyr (micromolar ratio) against Phe2/Tyr, permitted the detection of 11 heterozygotes among 209 controls. The accuracy of this method was checked by computation of a stepwise multivariate discriminant analysis, using Phe and Tyr (mumol/L), Phe/Tyr micromolar ratio and Phe2/Tyr as variables. Ten of the 11 subjects were recovered with a percentage of correct classification of over 90%, while one case had a percentage of 89.45%. The PKU gene frequency was found to be 1/19. This emphasizes the importance of a screening programme for PKU gene carrier status in Turkey.

V. British Policy in the Balkans, 1908-9

Britain acted as a principal arbitrator of the Eastern Question throughout the nineteenth century. During the 1890's, however, Britain lost this position owing to diplomatic isolation, the hostility of the Sultan of Turkey—who had found a new ally in Germany—and an equal hostility to the Sultan in Britain, where he was regarded as a brutal oriental despot presiding over an empire in the last stages of decay. The immediate cause of Britain's loss of status in Turkey was her failure to provide vigorous support to Sultan Abdul Hamid in the critical period following the Congress of Berlin. Turkey was bankrupt, but the Sultan's appeal for a loan met with no response in Britain; Turkey's European provinces were on the verge of slipping out of the Sultan's control but Britain refused to extend the terms of the Cyprus Convention (which guaranteed the Sultan's dominions in Asia Minor) to cover the more turbulent Balkans. The Convention itself had an alienating effect, since the guarantee was dependent upon the introduction of administrative reforms in Asia Minor under the direction of British military consuls. Britain's insistence on the application of this provision aroused the suspicion that she was actually seeking political control over this area. Turkey's loss of confidence in Britain, however, had deeper roots. ‘Many Muslims believed that Britain had deserted Turkey in the hour of need, that her protection of Islam was disproved by her war with Afghanistan, that her desire for the integrity of the Ottoman Empire was shown to be a pretence by the occupation of Cyprus, and that her power to rule provinces properly was doubtful after her failures in Egypt.’ In fact as early as 1879 Britain had lost the special position which she had held in Turkey for nearly half a century; and thereafter her prestige diminished rapidly, especially after the strong public reaction to the Armenian massacres of 1894-95.