The effect of teacher gender on student achievement in primary school: Evidence from a randomized experiment

This paper attempts to reconcile the contradictory results found in the economics literature and the educational psychology literature with respect to the academic impact of gender dynamics in the classroom. Specifically, using data from a randomized experiment, we look at the effects of having a female teacher on the math test scores of students in primary school. We find that female students who were assigned to a female teacher without a strong math background suffered from lower math test scores at the end of the academic year. This negative effect however not only seems to disappear but it becomes (marginally) positive for female students who were assigned to a female teacher with a strong math background. Finally, we do not find any effect of having a female teacher on male students' test scores (math or reading) or female students' reading test scores. Taken together, our results tentatively suggest that the findings in these two streams of the literature are in fact consistent if one takes into account a teacher's academic background in math

Peer Effects in Disadvantaged Primary Schools: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment

We examine the effect of peer achievement on students' own achievement and teacher performance in primary schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods using data from a well-executed randomized experiment in seven states. Contrary to the existing literature, we find that the average classroom peer achievement adversely influences own student achievement in math and reading in linear-in-means models. Extending our analysis to take into account the potential non-linearity in the peer effects leads to non-negligible differences along the achievement distribution. We test several models of peer effects to further understand their underlying mechanisms. While we find no evidence to support the monotonicity model and little evidence in favor of the ability grouping model, we find stronger evidence to support the frame of reference and the invidious comparison models. Moreover, we also find that higher achieving classes improve teaching performance in math. Finally, using a simple policy experiment we find suggestive evidence that tracking students by ability potentially benefits students who end up in a low achievement class while hurting students in a high achievement class

A study examining the effects of changed rules of wrestling competitions on the muscular damage levels of the elite wrestlers

This study aims to examine the effects of changing rules of wrestling competitions on the elite wrestlers' muscular damage levels. Twenty male wrestlers from the wrestling team established by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, which competes in the 1st Wrestling League, volunteered to take part in the research. The age average of the wrestlers was 20.4±2.8 years, their average age of sports 7.45±4.29 years, their height average 173,8 ±4,97 cm, and weight average 77.4 ±16.22 kg. Some blood samples of 5 cc each were taken from each wrestler's forearm vein by means of the vacutainer (a closed blood taking system) for the two competitions separately before and after the competitions; and on 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours following the competitions in the research. For looking at the levels of Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), serums were obtained by centrifuging the blood samples those taken to determine the levels of the skeletal muscle damages of the wrestlers at 1000 RPM for 20 minutes. The enzyme levels of the blood samples (the serum of which was decomposed) were determined by the SIEMENS ADVIA biochemistry auto-analyzer using the SIEMENS kit. While the repetitive measurements were assessed via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Bonferroni testing was applied in order to determine from which measurement times the differences were originated. The Paired Samples-ttesting, meanwhile, was performed in order to compare the blood samples collected from the athletes at same times for the both completed competitions having different rules. No significant difference was observed between AST and ALT values on the aminotransferase of the wrestlers according to two different rules (p˃0.05). Whereas significant differences were confirmed between the values of 48 hours after and 72 hours after the competition for the LDH values (p lt;0.05), no significant difference, on the other hand, were detected between other values (p˃0.05). Although significant differences were observed between the results obtained following competition and 72 hours after the competition for the CK values (p lt;0.05), there was no significant difference between other values (p˃0.05). Consequently, it was observed that when the wrestlers took part in two-day wrestling competitions, the basal values were reached 72nd hour after the competition, and no muscle damage remained, whereas when they took part in half-day wrestling competitions it was confirmed at the end of the 72nd hour that the LDH and CK levels of the wrestlers couldn't come close to the basal and the muscle damage was present (p lt;0.05)

Effect of supplementing milk replacer with aromatic oregano (Oreganum onites L.) water on performance, immunity and general health profiles of Holstein calves

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supplementing milk replacer (MR) with aromatic oregano (Origanum onite L.) water on weaning age, performance during the pre- and post-weaning periods, immune systems, blood parameters and general health of 40 Holstein Friesian calves. The calves fed with oregano water (OW)supplemented MR were weaned earlier than those in the Control group. There were no statistical differences in the liveweight and body measurements among the groups at the weaning age and post-weaning period. The feed intake of the calves fed with OW was higher than that of calves in the Control group in the pre-weaning period. The OW supplementation significantly increased the faecal firmness of calves (P < 0.05). It also decreased the number of E. coli, Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae pathogens, but only the amount of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Non-pathogens, such as Lactic acid bacteria, were not affected by OW supplementation. The OW supplementation had no significant effect on hematologic and biochemical blood values. There was significant interaction between age and groups in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P < 0.05). The immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) values of calves were steadily higher than those of the calves in the Control group. The general health profiles of the calves improved. It can be concluded that MR containing 1-2% OW fed to calves in the early weaning period is a promising treatment to improve their wellbeing and shorten the weaning period.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project) [1130520]; Suleyman Demirel University Research Council [SDU-4761]This study was partially supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project No. 1130520) and Suleyman Demirel University Research Council (Project No. SDU-4761) for providing financial support for this research. The authors thank Bilim Private Veterinary Diagnosis Analysis Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey, for analyses of immunoglobulins and Duzen Laboratories Group, Ankara, Turkey, for analyses of SDH

The effect of blood albumin and total lymphocyte count on short-term results in elderly patients with hip fractures

BACKGROUND A study was performed to deter-mine the effects of blood albumin and total lymphocyte count on the postoperative one-year period in 74 elderly hip fracture patients. METHODS In 2006, 74 patients (52 female, 22 male) with hip fracture who were 65 years of age or older were included in the study. Admission albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts were recorded. The outcomes examined were mortality, length of hospital stay and ambulatory ability. Ambulatory ability was assessed according to Parkland and Palmer criteria. RESULTS There were 61 patients aged 65-84 years, and 13 patients aged 85-105 years. Forty-one patients (55.4%) had hypoalbuminemia and 23 patients (31.1%) had low total lymphocyte count. Low albumin and total lymphocyte counts were associated with higher mortality (p=0.011). Patients with low albumin levels had longer length of hospital stay (p=0.002). Patients with normal albumin and total lymphocyte counts had higher mobility score meaning better function (p=0.012). Multivariate analysis yielded that low total lymphocyte count, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 3-4 and female gender remained significant independent predictors of one-year mortality. No single blood parameter was found to be effective on ambulatory status. CONCLUSION Risk of mortality in elderly hip fracture patients increases with female gender, ASA 3-4 and low total lymphocyte counts. Hypoalbuminemia is associated with longer hospitalization. Identification of these risk factors can help in the case management for a more favorable outcome

Effect of Oreganum onites L. Aromatic Water Supplemented to Whole Milk on Performance, Blood Metabolites and Oxidative Status of Holstein Calves During the Pre-Weaning Period

In intensive growing systems, the growth and yield of livestock are suppressed due to the oxidative stress to which they are also exposed. In the present study, it was investigated whether Oreganum onites L. aromatic water (OW) could serve as an agent of reducing the effects of oxidative stress while improving the growth performance of suckling Holstein calves. Twenty-eight newborn calves (n=7, in each group) were randomly selected and assigned to the following four treatments: Control, 40, 60 and 80 ml OW supplemented whole milk (WM) per day. The applied 60 and 80 ml OW tended to improve the antioxidative stress mechanism of calves while supporting their growth (e.g., total and daily weight gain, body measurements). The findings of the present study showed that Oreganum onites L. aromatic water, a by-product, can be used safely in alleviating the problems such as oxidative stress that may occur in intensive growing systems

Mekanik barsak tıkanıklığının nadir bir nedeni: Fitobezoar

Mechanical intestinal obstruction is defined as the partial or total blockage of the passage of digested food in gastrointestinal system towards the distal. If intestinal obstruction is not treated properly it can cause high incidences of morbidity and mortality. The most frequent cause is adhesion after surgery but etiological cause changes frequently with age. Known symptoms of intestinal obstructions are nausea, vomiting, abdominal ache and distention in the abdomen. In our study we aimed to present a 70 year old patient with intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoar who developed sepsis, with the help of current literature. © 2014, TIP ARASTIRMALARI DERNEGI. All rights reserved

AMELIORATING EFFECT OF HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA) AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON ACUTE PENICILLIN INDUCED SEIZURES IN GERBILS

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) and physical activity. We studied its effect on penicilline induced epilepticus (Pie) in gerbils. Pie was induced by administration of penicilline G (500 IU, ip). The gerbils were divided randomly in four groups (6 animals per each group) and studied as described below: 1) Control group 2) Exercise group (30 min/each day for 8 weeks) (Eg) 3) Extract group, 50mg/kg/day/animal in 1 ml saline, 3 h prior to exercise (Exe) 4) Exercise+Extract + (Exe+Ex). The severity of Pie was observed and recorded. The means of latencies (Mean±SE) were 236±45, 369±36, 386±58 and 433±37 ms in groups of control, Exe, Ex, and Exe+Ex respectively. The mean spike latency significantly (P=0,033 F=3,560) decreased in Exe, Ex and Exe+Ex when compared control. Although spike frequency significantly (