2026-01-30: The Campus

Allegheny College student newspape

The effect of household debt on safety‐net participation

We examine how participation in the Food Stamp Program (FSP)/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program responds to changes in state level household debt using administrative, quarterly data from 1999 to 2019. Using dynamic panel models, we find no consistently significant relationship. We argue this fails to capture the systemic structure of the safety-net and household finances. Using a panel vector autoregression to systemically model this relationship shows TANF is generally unresponsive to a one standard deviation shock to debt innovations, while FSP/SNAP participation responds significantly, substantially, and persistently, rising 10.99% cumulatively over 10 quarters.Preprin

Evaluation of the science curriculum based on health literacy competencies using the Delphi technique

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Fen Bilimleri dersi kapsamında sağlık okuryazarlığına ilişkin yeterlikleri belirlemek ve söz konusu yeterliklerin kazandırılmasında 2024 Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim Programı’nın (3–8. sınıflar) rolünü ortaya koymaktır. İki aşamalı olarak tasarlanan çalışma, açıklayıcı karma araştırma yöntemlerinden çok aşamalı karma desen kullanılarak yürütülmüş; süreçte iki farklı veri toplama tekniğinden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmanın birinci aşamasında Delphi tekniği kullanılarak sağlık okuryazarlığı yeterlikleri üzerinde uzman görüş birliği sağlanmıştır. İkinci aşamada ise doküman incelemesi yöntemiyle belirlenen bu yeterliklerin, Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim Programı ile ilişkilendirilmesi sistematik olarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın ilk aşamasında sağlık okuryazarlık yeterlikleri, üç tur şeklinde yürütülen Delphi tekniğiyle belirlenmiştir. Her turda fen ve sağlık eğitiminden uzmanların görüşleri alınmış ve bu görüşler belirlenen ölçütlere göre analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda sağlık okuryazarlığına ilişkin yeterlik maddeleri belirli kategoriler altında toplanmış ve temalar altında sistematik şekilde listelenmiştir. Araştırmanın ikinci aşamasında ise bu yeterliklerin fen bilimleri dersi öğretim programındaki yeri içerik analiziyle incelenmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, alan uzmanlarının toplumdaki sağlık okuryazarlığı düzeyini genel olarak yetersiz gördüklerini ve sağlık okuryazarlığının tüm öğrenciler için gerekli olduğunu vurguladıklarını göstermektedir. Delphi turları sonucunda, sağlık okuryazarlığı yeterliklerinin bilgi, beceri ve duyuş olmak üzere 3 boyuttan oluştuğu bilgi boyutunun; “bireysel sağlık”, “toplumsal sağlık ”, “dijital sağlık” kategorilerinden ve bunların yeterlik maddelerinden oluştuğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bireysel sağlık kategorisinde sağlığın korunması, ağız ve diş sağlığı, beslenme, bulaşıcı hastalıklardan korunma, cinsel sağlık, ergenlik dönemi, fiziksel aktivite/ spor ve fitness, hijyen, ilişki eğitimi, ilkyardım, kişisel güvenlik ve önleme yolları, sağlığa zararlı alışkanlıklar, sosyal medya/internet güvenliği ve zararları, sağlık psikolojisi, şiddet/zorbalık, uyku sağlığı, vücut sistemlerinin sağlığı, zihinsel/ruhsal sağlık ve iyilik hali olmak üzere on sekiz temanın üretildiği belirlenmiştir. Toplumsal sağlık kategorisinde aile sağlığı, okul sağlığı, çevre sağlığı, halk sağlığı olmak üzere dört temanın üretildiği belirlenmiştir. Dijital Sağlık kategorisinde sağlık hizmetleri, hasta hakları bilgisi ve teknolojinin sağlıkta uygulamaları olmak üzere üç temanın üretildiği belirlenmiştir. Bilgi boyutunda toplam yirmi beş tema üretilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda, ortaokul düzeyine yönelik yapılacak program geliştirme çalışmalarında belirlenen sağlık okuryazarlığı yeterliklerinin dikkate alınması gerektiği önerilmiştir.The purpose of this research is to determine the competencies related to health literacy within the scope of the Science curriculum and to reveal the role of the 2024 Science Curriculum (grades 3–8) in imparting these competencies. Designed in two phases, the research was conducted using a multi-stage mixed-methods design from among explanatory mixed research methods; two different data collection techniques were utilised in the process. In the first phase of the research, expert consensus on health literacy competencies was achieved using the Delphi technique. In the second phase, the competencies identified through document review were systematically analysed in relation to the Science Curriculum. In the first phase of the research, health literacy competencies were determined using the Delphi technique, conducted in three rounds. In each round, the opinions of experts in science and health education were obtained and analysed according to the criteria set. As a result of the analysis, the competency statements related to health literacy were grouped under specific categories and systematically listed under themes. In the second phase of the research, the place of these competencies in the Science Curriculum was examined through content analysis. The research findings show that field experts generally consider the level of health literacy in society to be inadequate and emphasise that health literacy is necessary for all students. As a result of the Delphi meetings, it was concluded that health literacy competencies consist of three dimensions: knowledge, skills and attitudes. The knowledge dimension consists of the categories of ‘individual health’, ‘public health’ and ‘digital health’ and their sub-statements. In the individual health category, it was determined that eighteen themes were produced: health protection, oral and dental health, nutrition, protection from infectious diseases, sexual health, adolescence, physical activity/sport and fitness, hygiene, relationship education, first aid, personal safety and prevention methods, harmful habits, social media/internet safety and harms, health psychology, violence/bullying, health of sleep, health of body systems, mental/psychological health and well-being. In the social health category, it was determined that four themes were produced: family health, school health, environmental health, and public health. In the digital health category, it was determined that three themes were produced: health services, patient rights information, and the applications of technology in health. A complete total of twenty-five themes have been produced on the subject of the knowledge dimension. As a result of the research, it was recommended that the health literacy competencies identified should be taken into account in curriculum development studies for secondary school level

The alignment of the book ‘’Science in the Child's World: Activities for Meaningful Learning’’ with the objectives of the Turkish Ministry of National Education Science Curriculum and the evaluation of sample activities

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Prof. Dr. Olga Jarrett tarafından kaleme alınan Çocuğun Dünyasında Bilim: Anlamlı Öğrenme İçin Etkinlikler adlı eserde yer alan örnek uygulamaların, Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı (MEB) 2018 İlkokul Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim Programı hedefleri, kazanımları ve öğrenme-öğretme yaklaşımı ile uyumunu incelemek; ayrıca bu uygulamaların ilkokul öğrencilerinin bilimsel süreç becerileri ile fen bilimlerine yönelik ilgi ve öğrenme süreçlerine katkısını değerlendirmektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımı kapsamında durum çalışması deseni ile yürütülmüştür. Bu kapsamda, ilgili kitapta yer alan etkinlikler ile MEB 2018 İlkokul Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim Programı’nın amaçları, kazanımları ve temel yaklaşımları karşılaştırmalı olarak incelenmiştir. Bu süreçte etkinlikler, araştırma-sorgulamaya dayalı öğrenme anlayışı, bilimsel süreç becerileri ve program temelli ölçütler doğrultusunda incelenmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında, etkinliklerin uygulanması sürecinde öğrencilerin gözlem yapma, tahmin yürütme, ölçme, veri toplama, karşılaştırma, verileri yorumlama ve sonuç çıkarma gibi bilimsel süreç becerilerini kullanma düzeyleri incelenmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, kitapta yer alan etkinliklerin MEB Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim Programı ile yüksek düzeyde uyumlu olduğunu ve araştırma-sorgulamaya dayalı öğrenme yaklaşımını desteklediğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca basit ve günlük yaşamdan seçilen materyallerle gerçekleştirilen etkinliklerin, öğrencilerin bilimsel süreç becerilerini kullanmalarını desteklediği; fen bilimleri dersine yönelik ilgi ve motivasyonlarına ilişkin öğrencilerin olumlu görüşler ortaya koyduğu; öğrenme sürecini anlamlı hâle getirdiği belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Çocuğun Dünyasında Bilim: Anlamlı Öğrenme İçin Etkinlikler adlı eserde yer alan etkinliklerin, ilkokul fen öğretiminde öğretim programı ile uyumlu, uygulanabilir ve öğretmenler için tamamlayıcı bir kaynak niteliği taşıdığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.The aim of this research is to examine the compatibility of the sample applications in the book "Science in the Child's World: Activities for Meaningful Learning" by Prof. Dr. Olga Jarrett with the objectives, learning outcomes, and learning-teaching approach of the 2018 Primary School Science Curriculum of the Ministry of National Education (MEB); and to evaluate the contribution of these applications to primary school students' scientific process skills and their interest and learning processes in science. The research was conducted using a case study design within the scope of a qualitative research approach. In this context, the activities in the book were examined comparatively with the objectives, learning outcomes, and basic approaches of the 2018 Primary School Science Curriculum of the MEB. In this process, the activities were examined in line with the inquiry-based learning understanding, scientific process skills, and program-based criteria. Within the scope of the research, the level at which students use scientific process skills such as observation, prediction, measurement, data collection, comparison, data interpretation, and drawing conclusions during the implementation of the activities was examined. The findings indicate that the activities in the book are highly compatible with the Ministry of National Education's Science Curriculum and support an inquiry-based learning approach. Furthermore, it was determined that the activities, carried out using simple materials selected from daily life, support students in using their scientific process skills; students expressed positive opinions regarding their interest and motivation towards science lessons; and the learning process is made meaningful. In conclusion, it was determined that the activities in the book "Science in the Child's World: Activities for Meaningful Learning" are compatible with the curriculum in primary school science education, applicable, and serve as a complementary resource for teachers

2026-02-13: The Campus

Allegheny College student newspape

Evaluation of patients admitted to the pediatric emergency departments due to suicide attempts: A multicenter study from Türkiye

Background: Suicide is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adolescents and is increasingly recognized among younger children. Pediatric emergency departments (EDs) are critical points for the identification and management of suicide attempts. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics, methods, and temporal trends of suicide attempts among children and adolescents presenting to pediatric EDs in T & uuml;rkiye. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study across 29 pediatric EDs from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2022. Patients aged 8-18 years with a confirmed suicide attempt were included. Data collected included demo-graphics, methods, psychiatric history, prior attempts, medications used in self-poisoning, psychiatric consulta-tions, and outcomes. Statistical analyses included chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: During the study period, 6004 suicide attempt presentations were identified among 9,736,825 ED visits (0.5/1000). The median age was 15 years (IQR: 14-16), with 78.8% female (female-to-male ratio 3.7:1). Most pa-tients (92.9%) were aged 13-18 years. Self-poisoning was the predominant method (95.4%), commonly involving NSAIDs, paracetamol, SSRIs, and atypical antipsychotics; 23.5% ingested their own medications, 76.2% of which were psychotropics. A known psychiatric disorder was present in 36.4%, and 16.4% had a prior suicide attempt. Psychiatric consultation was obtained in 73% of cases. Hospitalization occurred in 89.8%, with 15.5% requiring in-tensive care. Eleven deaths were recorded. Conclusions: Suicide attempts among children and adolescents are a significant and ongoing public health problem in T & uuml;rkiye, with self-poisoning as the dominant method. The findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies, safe medication storage, and strengthened psychiatric services in pediatric EDs to improve outcomes for this high-risk population. (c) 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar techologies

OxyContin reformulation and drug-related-arrest rates, property-related crimes, child maltreatment and food pantry participation

Background: Many policies at the federal and state level have been implemented to curb the opioid crisis. A signature policy, the OxyContin reformulation, was introduced in 2010. However, an increasing body of research has documented negative impacts of the OxyContin reformulation, such as a rise in heroin use and overdose deaths. Objective: This study evaluates other unintended impacts of the OxyContin reformulation on the arrest rates for drug abuse violations, the arrest rates for drug offenses, the rates for property related crimes, child maltreatment and food pantry participation rate. Methods: A difference-in-differences framework, event study specifications, and a state-year-level representative longitudinal sample to exploit cross-state variation in the OxyContin misuse rate prior to the reformulation. All specifications include state and year fixed effects, as well as state-level time-varying covariates, including demographic composition (e.g., population shares ages 0–19, 20–39, and 65+) and relevant state policy indicators. Results: We find evidence consistent with a positive causal relationship between the OxyContin reformulation, arrest rates for drug abuse violations, and rates for motor vehicle theft. Conclusion: Findings indicate that future drug policies should more carefully consider the various needs of opioid users and potential negative externalities following the implementation of new policies.Version of Recor

Hyperspectral imaging-based non-destructive detection of freshness changes in MAP stew-braised duck neck during refrigerated storage

Stew-braised duck (SBD) products packaged with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) are prone to quality deterioration during refrigerated storage. Traditional detection methods are time-consuming and invasive. This study aimed to investigate the quality changes of MAP-packaged SBD and to achieve real-time, non-destructive detection using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) without opening the packages. Freshness indicators were evaluated using traditional methods, including pH, total viable count (TVC), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) at 4 °C and 10 °C. A unique image segmentation approach was applied to extract spectral data in the 900–1700 nm range, which were analyzed to evaluate quality changes during 19 days, with a focus on moisture distribution and TVB-N levels. A three-stage fusion strategy involving machine learning models (PLS, RF, PLS-RF), preprocessing techniques (MSC, SG, SNV) and feature extraction methods (CARS, GA, IVSO) was developed. Ultimately, the full-wavelength model at 4 °C using PLS-RF (Rc2 = 0.967, RMSEC = 0.710, Rp2 = 0.749, RMSEP = 1.951, RPD = 2.026) and the model at 10 °C with SNV-CARS preprocessing using PLS-RF (Rc2 = 0.961, RMSEC = 0.944, Rp2 = 0.747, RMSEP = 2.431, RPD = 2.003) were identified as optimal for visualizing pixel-level predictions of TVB-N content. This research confirms the feasibility and potential of HSI for non-destructive and rapid detection in MAP-packaged products

A comprehensive analysis of the cultural and political underpinnings of the literary characters in the novels of Ahmet Mithat Efendi and Zeynelābidīn Merāgaī in the context of Ottoman and Iranian modernization

Çalışma, Osmanlı ve İran modernleşme söylemlerini, iki “ilk roman” örneği üzerinden karşılaştırmalı incelenmesini merkeze almaktadır. Ahmet Mithat Efendi’nin Felâtun Bey ile Râkım Efendi adlı eseri ile Zeynü’l-Âbidîn Merâgaî’nin Seyahatnâme-i İbrâhim Bey’i bahis konusu edilen iki eser olup, modernleşmeyi yalnızca tarihsel ve siyasal bir süreç olarak değil, edebî anlatı içinde kurulan bir zihniyet ve değerler bütünü niteliğiyle ele alır. Bu doğrultuda dönemin iki aydınının kaleminden çıkan eserlerin tarih çalışmalarında merkeze alınıp, alınamayacağı, alındığı taktirde ne denli veriler sağlayacağı konusunu tartışır. Araştırmada nitel veri analiz programı MAXQDA kullanılarak tematik kodlama yapılarak ortak ve ayrışan temalar üst ve alt kodlar hâlinde sınıflandırılmıştır. Kodların dağılımları, kesişimleri ve sözcük sıklıkları sayısal verilerle desteklenerek karşılaştırma, sezgisel yorumun ötesinde ölçülebilir bir zemine taşınmıştır. Bulgular, iki eserin modernleşmeyi farklı düzlemlerde kurguladığını göstermektedir. Felâtun Bey ile Râkım Efendi’nin bireysel anlatı eğilimi modernleşmeyi bireysel eğitim, ahlâk ve gündelik hayat pratikleri üzerinden ele alırken, Seyahatnâme-i İbrâhim Bey modernleşmeyi kamusal düzen, adalet, hukuk ve yönetsel reform ekseninde, siyasal bir eleştiri diliyle inşa eder. Bu karşıtlık, Osmanlı anlatısında “makbul ferdin”, İran anlatısında ise “makbul düzenin” merkeze alındığını ortaya koymaktadır.The study centers on a comparative examination of Ottoman and Iranian discourses of modernization through two examples of “first novels.” Ahmet Mithat Efendi’s Felâtun Bey ile Râkım Efendi and Zeynü’l-Âbidîn Merâgaî’s Seyahatnâme-i İbrâhim Bey constitute the two works discussed in this research, which approaches modernization not merely as a historical and political process, but as a mentality and a set of values constructed within literary narrative. In this respect, the study discusses whether the works produced by two intellectuals of the period can be placed at the center of historical research and, if so, to what extent they are capable of providing data for such studies. In the research, thematic coding was conducted using the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA, and shared as well as divergent themes were classified into upper and sub-codes. By supporting the distributions of codes, their intersections, and word frequencies with quantitative data, the comparison was carried beyond intuitive interpretation and placed on a measurable analytical ground. The findings demonstrate that the two works construct modernization on different levels. While the individual narrative orientation of Felâtun Bey ile Râkım Efendi addresses modernization through individual education, morality, and everyday life practices, Seyahatnâme-i İbrâhim Bey constructs modernization along the axes of public order, justice, law, and administrative reform, employing a language of political critique. This contrast reveals that the Ottoman narrative centers on the “ideal individual,” whereas the Iranian narrative places the “ideal order” at its core

Clinical characteristics and outcome of fetuses with ventriculomegaly: A retrospective multicenter study

PurposeTo evaluate the incidence of associated structural anomalies, chromosomal/genetic abnormalities, infections and outcomes of fetuses with ventriculomegaly (VM). MethodsRetrospective multicenter cohort study of 627 pregnancies with fetal VM. VM was classified as mild, moderate, or severe and isolated or non-isolated. Genetic, obstetric and outcome data were collected and compared according to VM categories. ResultsThe incidences of associated structural anomalies were 21.9%, 53.1% and 63.9% in mild, moderate and severe VM, respectively (p = 0.032 mild vs. moderate-severe). The incidences of genetic abnormality and fetal infection of the total VM group were 16.1% and 0.8%, respectively, with no significant differences between the VM categories (p > 0.05). The incidences of pathogenic genetic variant in the mild, moderate and severe VM were 13.5% (5/37), 16.7% (3/18) and 38.1% (8/21), respectively (p = 0.032 mild vs. severe). Fetal MRI identified additional CNS anomalies in 5.6% of cases. The incidences of surviving babies with neurological morbidities were significantly higher in fetuses with non-isolated VM groups than in isolated VM groups (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe prognosis of fetuses with VM mostly depends on the severity and the associated anomalies. In all types of fetal VMs additional genetic investigations are valuable