Existence and classification of nonoscillatory solutions of two dimensional time scale systems

During the past years, there has been an increasing interest in studying oscillation and nonoscillation criteria for dynamic equations and systems on time scales that harmonize the oscillation and nonoscillation theory for the continuous and discrete cases in order to combine them in one comprehensive theory and eliminate obscurity from both. We not only classify nonoscillatory solutions of dynamic equations and systems on time scales but also guarantee the (non)existence of such solutions by using the Knaster fixed point theorem, Schauder - Tychonoff fixed point theorem, and Schauder fixed point theorem. The approach is based on the sign of nonoscillatory solutions. A short introduction to the time scale calculus is given as well. Examples are significant in order to see if nonoscillatory solutions exist or not. Therefore, we give several examples in order to highlight our main results for the set of real numbers R, the set of integers Z, and qN0 = {1, q, q2, q3, ...}, q \u3e 1, which are the most well-known time scales --Abstract, page iv

A Mixed-Method Research on Digital Literacy of Middle School Students

The purpose of this study was to reveal middle school students’ digital literacy levels and their opinions about digital literacy. Convergent parallel design, one of the mixed-method designs, was used in the study. Quantitative part involved survey while qualitative part included case-study model. Digital literacy scale and semi-structured interview form were used to collect the data. The participants in the quantitative part involved 367 students studying at a state middle school in Kırşehir while 12 students took part in the qualitative part. The data analysis was conducted separately, and general conclusions were drawn and combined during interpretation. Although students had high scores from the digital literacy scale, the in-depth qualitative analyses showed that they did not have adequate information about the concept of digital literacy. Moreover, the quantitative results showed that students, who used digital technologies for research purposes, had higher scores from the security dimension of digital literacy scale than the students who used digital technologies for studying. However, the qualitative results revealed that students used digital technologies most commonly for entertainment. It was found that students’ digital literacy was significantly differed by their gender, grade level, book-reading duration, and internet-use duration while it did not significantly differ by their purpose of using digital technologies. Additionally, based on the qualitative results, students agreed that social studies course contributed to their digital literacy

Synthetic cannabinoids and cardiac arrhythmia risk: Review of the literature

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) are widely used recreational substances especially among adults. Although they have been considered as safe during the marketing process, our knowledge about their adverse effects has evolved since years. SCBs are associated with various cardiac events including acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. There is also growing evidence that SCBs are associated with cardiac arrhythmia development both in acute and chronic exposure. SCBs have been shown to be associated with both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the exact mechanism of the SCB related arrhythmia remains unknown. Understanding the exact association and possible mechanisms may help us to identify high risk patients at an early stage and to develop treatment modalities to prevent or reverse the arrhythmic effects of SCBs

Determining the Opinions of the Prospective (Candidate) Teachers About Public Personnel Selection Exam (KPSS)

AbstractThe purpose of the study is to determine the views of the pre-service teachers enrolled at faculties of education at some universities in Turkey on the Selection Examination for Professional Posts in Public Organizations which they have to enter in order to be assigned as a teacher and get the required score. The study of group of the study was composed of 799 pre-service teachers who were at the senior class of faculties of education at Gazi University, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Ahi Evran University and Kastamonu University in Turkey. These pre-service teachers were given three choices as the Selection Examination for Professional Posts in Public Organizations (KPSS), an examination that measure the Field + Teaching Profession knowledge proficiency level and other and they were asked why they preferred that choice. The written views of the pre-service teachers were read by the researcher and pre-determined and main problems and themes observed during the analysis were determined. When the findings of the study were examined, it was found that 207 pre-service teacher stated that KPSS was required in order to be assigned as a teacher, 540 pre-service teachers stated that they wanted to be assigned through an examination that measure Field + Teaching Profession Knowledge levels. When the views of the pre-service teachers on KPSS were examined, it was seen that most of the pre-service teachers wanted to be assigned through an examination that measure Field + Teaching Profession knowledge level and they listed the reasons for this as KPSS was a nonsense and unnecessary examination; the teachers that were assigned without measuring their knowledge on the field were not qualified and efficient; entering an exam including General Culture and General Ability parts which were unrelated to their fields might decrease the achievement; and they thought that KPSS could not measure the professional proficiency. It was also found that some of the 52 pre-service teachers that choose the other choice stated that some applications like personality test, interview, etc. should be implemented and some of them stated that there was no need for an examination in order to be assigned as a teacher

Hypospadias

Objective. The great possibility of variations in the clinical presentation of hypospadia, makes its therapy challenging. This has led to the development of a number of techniques for hypospadia repair. This article assesses past and present concepts and operative techniques with the aim of broadening our understanding of this malformation. Materials and Methods. The article not only reviews hypospadia in general with its development and clinical presentation as well as historical and current concepts in hypospadiologie on the basis of available literature, but it is also based on our own clinical experience in the repair of this malformation. Results and Conclusion. The fact that there are great variations in the presentation and extent of malformations existent makes every hypospadia individual and a proposal of a universal comprehensive algorithm for hypospadia repair difficult. The Snodgrass technique has found wide popularity for the repair of distal hypospadias. As far as proximal hypospadias are concerned, their repair is more challenging because it not only involves urethroplasty, but can also, in some cases, fulfil the dimensions of a complex genital reconstruction. Due to the development of modern operating materials and an improvement in current surgical techniques, there has been a significant decrease in the complication rates. Nonetheless, there still is room and, therefore, need for further improvement in this field

A reliable method for evaluating upper molar distalization: Superimposition of three-dimensional digital models

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of measurements obtained after the superimposition of three-dimensional (3D) digital models by comparing them with those obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs and photocopies of plaster models for the evaluation of upper molar distalization. Methods: Data were collected from plaster models and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 20 Class II patients whose maxillary first molars were distalized with an intraoral distalizer. The posterior movements of the maxillary first molars were evaluated using lateral cephalometric radiographs (group CP), photocopies of plaster models (group PH), and digitized 3D models (group TD). Additionally, distalization and expansion of the other teeth and the degrees of molar rotation were measured in group PH and group TD and compared between the two groups. Results: No significant difference was observed regarding the amount of molar distalization among the three groups. A comparison of the aforementioned parameters between group PH and group TD did not reveal any significant difference. Conclusions: 3D digital models are reliable to assess the results of upper molar distalization and can be considered a valid alternative to conventional measurement methods. © 2015 The Korean Association of Orthodontists

Occurrence of black spot disease induced by Posthodiplostomum cuticola (Nordmann, 1832) (Digenea: Diplostomatidae) in endemic and native fish of Turkey: seven new host records

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThis study was conducted to determine parasite infection with Posthodiplostomum cuticola in eight fish species collected from five Rivers Basins of Turkey (Aras, Çoruh, Sakarya, Marmara and Susurluk River Basins). Five of eight fish species are endemic to Turkey. The highest values of prevalence and mean intensity (60.87%; 4.86) of cysts with metacercaria of P. cuticola were recorded in Alburnus filippii, a native fish species in Ağıl Creek. At the gross examination numerous black lesions were observed at the skin of the fishes. Microscopically black-spot disease was revealed by melanin pigmentation and atrophy of fish muscles in lesioned areas. Parasites were covered by thing connective tissue capsule. Alburnus escherichii, Alburnus filippii, Capoeta tinca, Chondrostoma angorense, Chondrostoma colchicum, Squalius pursakensis and Squalius turcicus were found as new host records for P. cuticola

Monitoring the Soil Water Content Using Time Domain Reflectometry in a Clay Loam and an Organic Soil

n the present study, Time Domain Reflectometry TDR and tensiometers were used to follow changes in soil water content and soil water pressure head over time in soil containers filled with a clay loam soil and an organic soil. The moisture content changes throughout the soil columns were determined by three-rod TDR probes and tensiometers inserted at the depths of 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 cm. In the experiment, changes in soil water content and soil water pressure head were determined during and after the simulation of 15 L demineralized water applied at a constant rate of 20 mm hr-1 . The water movement through the clay loam soil was initially fast and the first moisture content change at the depth of 15 cm was detected during the first half an hour but later slow water movement was observed. For the organic soil, change in the moisture content with depth was slow compared with that of the clay loam soil. The first change in moisture content at the depth of 15 cm was observed after only 1 hour from the simulation of water. The highest moisture level, 48.6%, at the depth of 5 cm was determined only after approximately 2.5 hours later from the beginning of simulated rainfall

Determining Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Landraces from Türkiye Using SSR Markers

Assessment of genetic diversity among different varieties helps to improve desired characteristics of crops, including disease resistance, early maturity, high yield, and resistance to drought. Molecular markers are one of the most effective tools for discovering genetic diversity that can increase reproductive efficiency. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs), which are codominant markers, are preferred for the determination of genetic diversity because they are highly polymorphic, multi-allelic, highly reproducible, and have good genome coverage. This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of 40 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces collected from the Ispir district located in the Northeast Anatolia region of Türkiye and five commercial varieties using SSR markers. The Twenty-seven SSR markers produced a total of 142 polymorphic bands, ranging from 2 (GATS91 and PVTT001) to 12 (BM153) alleles per marker, with an average number of 5.26 alleles. The gene diversity per marker varied between 0.37 and 0.87 for BM053 and BM153 markers, respectively. When heterozygous individuals are calculated proportional to the population, the heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 1.00, with an average of 0.30. The expected heterozygosity of the SSR locus ranged from 0.37 (BM053) to 0.88 (BM153), with an average of 0.69. Nei’s gene diversity scored an average of 0.69. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values of SSR markers varied from 0.33 (BM053) to 0.86 (BM153), with an average of 0.63 per locus. The greatest genetic distance (0.83) was between lines 49, 50, 53, and cultivar Karacaşehir-90, while the shortest (0.08) was between lines 6 and 26. In cluster analysis using Nei’s genetic distance, 45 common bean genotypes were divided into three groups and very little relationship was found between the genotypes and the geographical distances. In genetic structure analysis, three subgroups were formed, including local landraces and commercial varieties. The result confirmed that the rich diversity existing in Ispir bean landraces could be used as a genetic resource in designing breeding programs and may also contribute to Türkiye bean breeding programs