Funkcija i važnost organizacija za provjeru činjenica u eri lažnih vijesti: Teyit.org, primjer iz Turske

The recent increase in usage of concepts such as ‘fake news’ or ‘post-truth’ reveals the importance of digital literacy especially on social media. In the digital era, people’s views on different topics are attempted to be manipulated with disinformation and fake news. Fake content is rapidly replacing the reality among new media users. It is stated with concepts such as ‘filter bubbles’ and ‘echo chambers’ that there is a greater tendency for people to be fed with content that is ideologically appropriate to their own views and to believe in fake news in this content. This article analyzes the structure and functioning of fact-checking organizations in the context of preventing propagation of fake news and improving digital literacy. The research is based on content analysis of verification activities of the fact-checking organization Teyit.org, which is a member of International Fact-Checking Network in Turkey, between January 1 and June 31, 2018. By conducting in-depth interviews with the verification team, propagation of fake news on social networks, fact-checking processes and their methods of combating fake news are revealed. Our article found that fake content spreading specifically through the Internet predominantly consists of political issues.Sve veća upotreba pojmova kao što su „lažne vijesti“ ili „post-istina“ otkriva koliko je važna digitalna pismenost, osobito na društvenim mrežama. U digitalnoj eri mišljenja ljudi o pojedinim temama pokušavaju se mijenjati dezinformacijama i lažnim vijestima, pa korisnici novih medija sve više prihvaćaju lažne vijesti kao stvarnost. Pojmovi kao što su „mjehurići filtri“ (engl. filter bubbles) i „komore odjeka“ (engl. echo chambers) ukazuju na tendenciju da se ljude hrani sadržajem koji je ideološki u skladu s njihovim pogledima i koji podržava lažne vijesti. Ovaj rad analizira strukturu i funkcioniranje organizacija za provjeru činjenica u kontekstu prevencije propagiranja lažnih vijesti i poboljšanja digitalne pismenosti. Istraživanje je temeljeno na analizi sadržaja verifikacijskih aktivnosti organizacije za provjeru činjenica Teyit.org u Turskoj, članice Međunarodnog udruženja za provjeru činjenica, i to tijekom šest mjeseci, od 1. siječnja do 31. lipnja 2018. S članovima tima za provjeru činjenica provedeni su dubinski intervjui kako bi se otkrili procesi provjere činjenica i metode za borbu s lažnim vijestima. Ovaj rad pokazuje da se lažni sadržaj koji se širi internetom u najvećoj mjeri tiče politike

Treatment adherence and short-term outcomes of smoking cessation outpatient clinic patients

INTRODUCTION Previous studies have shown that adherence to treatment is fundamental to success in smoking cessation. However, smoking cessation medication regimens are limited significantly by the struggle to adhere to them. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with treatment adherence and quitting success in a group of patients that applied to our smoking cessation outpatient clinic (SCC). METHODS Patients that applied to SCC between April 2015 and December 2016 who were evaluated, found suitable for smoking cessation interventions and started pharmacological treatment were included in this study. Only those who could be reached by phone three months after their first application became participants. Those who had used the prescribed treatment for at least 30 days were grouped as treatment-adherent. RESULTS In total, data for 346 patients were evaluated. Mean (±SD) age was 44.3±13.9 years; most of them were male (63%), primary school graduated (36.1%), self-employed (43.7%), and had no comorbid diseases (71%). Bupropion was started in 52% of the patients, that rate was 35.8% for varenicline and 12.1% for a combination of the nicotine patch and gum. Mean days for treatment use was 20.9±18.5; 59% of the patients were non-adherent to their treatment and 51.7% had only one control visit number. Adverse reactions due to treatment were recorded in 25% of participants, and at their third month 37.9% of them had quit smoking. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, increase in control visit number, absence of adverse reaction, and varenicline use, were each associated with higher treatment adherence (p<0.001) and only being in the treatment-adherent group was associated with quit success (OR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.88–4.81, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that most patients did not use their prescribed SC treatments adequately; a main factor that affects quit success is treatment adherence. There is a need for closer monitoring and follow-up to ensure adequate use of treatment of patients

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: TEACHERS' USE OF REFLECTIVE THINKING

Yapılandırmacı yaklaşımı esas alan ilköğretim programında yansıtıcı düşünen öğretmen özellikleri üzerinde durulmakta ve sınıf öğretmenlerinin bu özelliklere sahip olması beklenmektedir. Bu araştırma sınıf öğretmenlerinin yansıtıcı düşünceye ve yansıtıcı düşüncenin öğrenme-öğretme sürecinde kullanılmasına yönelik bakış açılarını ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Veriler Marmara bölgesinde yer alan bir ilde bulunan, ilköğretim birinci kademe okullarında görev yapan, 30 sınıf öğretmeni ile yapılan görüşmelerden toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde gömülü teori yaklaşımı uyarlanarak kullanılmıştır. Analiz sonucunda‘Öğretmenlerin Yansıtıcı Düşünce Üzerine Görüşleri' ve ‘Öğretmenlerin Öğrenme Öğretme Sürecinde Yansıtıcı Düşüncenin Kullanılması Üzerine Bakış Açıları' olmak üzere iki ana kategori oluşmuştur. Araştırma bulguları sınıf öğretmenlerinin yansıtıcı düşünceyi kavram olarak bilmediklerini ancak betimlediklerini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, öğretmenlerin öğretme-öğrenme süreci ile ilgili açıklamaları doğrultusunda yansıtıcı düşünceyi eleştirel düşünme ve problem çözme boyutlarında kullandıkları anlaşılmaktadır. Araştırma bulguları, öğretmenlerin profesyonel gelişimlerini sağlayabilmeleri ve yansıtıcı düşünceyi öğretme-öğrenme sürecinde etkili bir biçimde kullanabilmeleri için bu alanda hizmet içi ve hizmet öncesi eğitime ihtiyaç duyulduğunu vurgulamaktadır. Yapılandırmacı yaklaşımı esas alan ilköğretim programında yansıtıcı düşünen öğretmen özellikleri üzerinde durulmakta ve sınıf öğretmenlerinin bu özelliklere sahip olması beklenmektedir. Bu araştırma sınıf öğretmenlerinin yansıtıcı düşünceye ve yansıtıcı düşüncenin öğrenme-öğretme sürecinde kullanılmasına yönelik bakış açılarını ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Veriler Marmara bölgesinde yer alan bir ilde bulunan, ilköğretim birinci kademe okullarında görev yapan, 30 sınıf öğretmeni ile yapılan görüşmelerden toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde gömülü teori yaklaşımı uyarlanarak kullanılmıştır. Analiz sonucunda‘Öğretmenlerin Yansıtıcı Düşünce Üzerine Görüşleri' ve ‘Öğretmenlerin Öğrenme Öğretme Sürecinde Yansıtıcı Düşüncenin Kullanılması Üzerine Bakış Açıları' olmak üzere iki ana kategori oluşmuştur. Araştırma bulguları sınıf öğretmenlerinin yansıtıcı düşünceyi kavram olarak bilmediklerini ancak betimlediklerini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, öğretmenlerin öğretme-öğrenme süreci ile ilgili açıklamaları doğrultusunda yansıtıcı düşünceyi eleştirel düşünme ve problem çözme boyutlarında kullandıkları anlaşılmaktadır. Araştırma bulguları, öğretmenlerin profesyonel gelişimlerini sağlayabilmeleri ve yansıtıcı düşünceyi öğretme-öğrenme sürecinde etkili bir biçimde kullanabilmeleri için bu alanda hizmet içi ve hizmet öncesi eğitime ihtiyaç duyulduğunu vurgulamaktadır

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in acute coronary syndrome: a clinical analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery has many beneficial effects compared with on-pump surgery, switch to on-pump surgery has significantly higher risks of operative mortality. Benefits of OPCAB over on-pump surgery strategies concerning myocardial revascularization are still debatable. We have aimed to develop an "algorithm of off-pump surgical strategy" on preventing conversion to on-pump. This clinical study reports our clinical outcome of OPCAB in patients with acute coronary syndrome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between January 2006 and December 2008, 198 patients with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled in the study. Decision of OPCAB (142 patients) or on-pump surgery (56 patients) was made according to patients' present clinical status and our surgical background. Cardiac enzymes, duration of the surgery, graft numbers, stay in intensive care unit were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>OPCAP group has shorter operation time (82.78 min versus 164.22 min, p < 0.001), lesser necessity for intra-aortic balloon pumping (3.5% versus 12.5%, p = 0.053), shorter duration of intensive care unit stay (p < 0.05) and hospital stay (p < 0.001) compared to on-pump patients. EuroSCORE level was lower in OPCAP group (p < 0.001). None of the patients of OPCAB group required conversion to on-pump technique.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The patients who admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome within "golden hours" (within 6 hours after onset) had a greater chance for OPCAB surgery. This study proves that EuroSCORE is likely to be an important factor in deciding which surgical technique to use, but a further investigation is needed to verify. According to our findings, a careful evaluation of coronary angiography, hemodynamic status, quality of target coronary vessel and timing of surgery are important for OPCAB surgery to avoid conversion to on-pump. By a careful systematic evaluation of the patients as explained with this article, it can be prevent or reduce conversion to on-pump surgery during OPCAB surgery.</p

(Trans)cribing History: The Oral Histories of Transgender Clergy in America

Popular American rhetoric around religion and LGBTQ issues puts the two at odds. The Bible has been the center of many debates over sexuality, gender identity, and faith. However, very few conversations have included or revolved around the authentic experiences of LGBTQ people of faith. Nine participants from various Protestant backgrounds shared their narratives with me and spoke on issues of gender and faith. This report is an in-depth summary of a short oral history project of transgender clergy (as well as candidates for ordination or exemplary church members)

Determination of the Level of Emergency Medicine Resident Physicians to Recognize the Electrocardiography Findings

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy and reliability of the interpretation of electrocardiography (ECG) findings by emergency medicine resident physicians (EMPs) and to provide training recommendations in line with emerging deficiencies. Material and Methods: This research depended on the data from a questionnaire that we conducted among EMPs in Ankara. The survey included multiple-choice questions, selected through conceived cases presented in major textbooks or congresses. EMP ECG assessment levels were compared according to the duration of residency education and the presence of ECG education. The data were evaluated by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 112 volunteers participated. Mean age was 29.6±4.4; also, 47 were female and 65 were male. When all of the questions were taken into account, the mean number of total correct answers was higher for those who had received ECG training than who had not received it, those who underwent more training than those who underwent less training, and those whose duration of assistantship was longer than those whose duration was shorter. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that the evaluation of ECG is improved by increasing clinical knowledge and training. Depending on these results, we suggest that effective and practical ECG courses and training programs should be organized for EMPs. (JAEM 2014; 13: 108-11

Discovery and characterization of noncanonical E2-conjugating enzymes

E2-conjugating enzymes (E2s) play a central role in the enzymatic cascade that leads to the attachment of ubiquitin to a substrate. This process, termed ubiquitylation, is required to maintain cellular homeostasis and affects almost all cellular process. By interacting with multiple E3 ligases, E2s dictate the ubiquitylation landscape within the cell. Since its discovery, ubiquitylation has been regarded as a posttranslational modification that specifically targets lysine side chains (canonical ubiquitylation). We used Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry to identify and characterize a family of E2s that are instead able to conjugate ubiquitin to serine and/or threonine. We used structural modeling and prediction tools to identify the key activity determinants that these E2s use to interact with ubiquitin as well as their substrates. Our results unveil the missing E2s necessary for noncanonical ubiquitylation, underscoring the adaptability and versatility of ubiquitin modifications.</p

Discovery and characterization of noncanonical E2-conjugating enzymes

E2-conjugating enzymes (E2s) play a central role in the enzymatic cascade that leads to the attachment of ubiquitin to a substrate. This process, termed ubiquitylation, is required to maintain cellular homeostasis and affects almost all cellular process. By interacting with multiple E3 ligases, E2s dictate the ubiquitylation landscape within the cell. Since its discovery, ubiquitylation has been regarded as a posttranslational modification that specifically targets lysine side chains (canonical ubiquitylation). We used Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry to identify and characterize a family of E2s that are instead able to conjugate ubiquitin to serine and/or threonine. We used structural modeling and prediction tools to identify the key activity determinants that these E2s use to interact with ubiquitin as well as their substrates. Our results unveil the missing E2s necessary for noncanonical ubiquitylation, underscoring the adaptability and versatility of ubiquitin modifications.</p

Replicated evidence that endophenotypic expression of schizophrenia polygenic risk is greater in healthy siblings of patients compared to controls, suggesting gene-environment interaction. The EUGEI study

Background First-degree relatives of patients with psychotic disorder have higher levels of polygenic risk (PRS) for schizophrenia and higher levels of intermediate phenotypes. Methods We conducted, using two different samples for discovery (n = 336 controls and 649 siblings of patients with psychotic disorder) and replication (n = 1208 controls and 1106 siblings), an analysis of association between PRS on the one hand and psychopathological and cognitive intermediate phenotypes of schizophrenia on the other in a sample at average genetic risk (healthy controls) and a sample at higher than average risk (healthy siblings of patients). Two subthreshold psychosis phenotypes, as well as a standardised measure of cognitive ability, based on a short version of the WAIS-III short form, were used. In addition, a measure of jumping to conclusion bias (replication sample only) was tested for association with PRS. Results In both discovery and replication sample, evidence for an association between PRS and subthreshold psychosis phenotypes was observed in the relatives of patients, whereas in the controls no association was observed. Jumping to conclusion bias was similarly only associated with PRS in the sibling group. Cognitive ability was weakly negatively and non-significantly associated with PRS in both the sibling and the control group. Conclusions The degree of endophenotypic expression of schizophrenia polygenic risk depends on having a sibling with psychotic disorder, suggestive of underlying gene–environment interaction. Cognitive biases may better index genetic risk of disorder than traditional measures of neurocognition, which instead may reflect the population distribution of cognitive ability impacting the prognosis of psychotic disorder

Cognitive functioning throughout adulthood and illness stages in individuals with psychotic disorders and their unaffected siblings

Important questions remain about the profile of cognitive impairment in psychotic disorders across adulthood and illness stages. The age-associated profile of familial impairments also remains unclear, as well as the effect of factors, such as symptoms, functioning, and medication. Using cross-sectional data from the EU-GEI and GROUP studies, comprising 8455 participants aged 18 to 65, we examined cognitive functioning across adulthood in patients with psychotic disorders (n = 2883), and their unaffected siblings (n = 2271), compared to controls (n = 3301). An abbreviated WAIS-III measured verbal knowledge, working memory, visuospatial processing, processing speed, and IQ. Patients showed medium to large deficits across all functions (ES range = -0.45 to -0.73, p <0.001), while siblings showed small deficits on IQ, verbal knowledge, and working memory (ES = -0.14 to -0.33, p <0.001). Magnitude of impairment was not associated with participant age, such that the size of impairment in older and younger patients did not significantly differ. However, first-episode patients performed worse than prodromal patients (ES range = -0.88 to -0.60, p <0.001). Adjusting for cannabis use, symptom severity, and global functioning attenuated impairments in siblings, while deficits in patients remained statistically significant, albeit reduced by half (ES range = -0.13 to -0.38, p <0.01). Antipsychotic medication also accounted for around half of the impairment in patients (ES range = -0.21 to -0.43, p <0.01). Deficits in verbal knowledge, and working memory may specifically index familial, i.e., shared genetic and/or shared environmental, liability for psychotic disorders. Nevertheless, potentially modifiable illness-related factors account for a significant portion of the cognitive impairment in psychotic disorders