Examining of Teacher Candidate's Attitudes to Science Teaching and Self –Efficacy Related to Alternative Measurement Assessment

AbstractThe purpose of this study, determine the pre-service science and classroom teacher's attitudes towards science teaching and self-efficacy perceptions related to alternative measurement assessment that based upon constructivism. The participants of this research included teacher candidates who were fourth year students in 2011-2012 academic years majoring in Science and Class Teaching Programmers at Firat University and Erzincan University, Faculty of Education, in Turkey. In this descriptive study, the attitude toward science teaching scale which was designed by Thomson and Shrigley and adopted to Turkish by Ozkan, Tekkaya and Cakıroglu and self efficacy scale related alternative measurement assessment that developed by Buldur were used as data collecting tools. From the examination of obtained data, we can say that both groups of pre-service science teachers have positive attitudes toward science teaching in general terms. However: statistically significant difference was found between attitudes of pre-service science teachers and class teachers. These results show that the pre-service science teachers have more positive attitudes toward science teaching than pre-service class teachers

Effectiveness of bitter melon extract in the treatment of ischemic wounds in rats

WOS: 000452776900006PubMed ID: 30983870There is no consensus on the properties of an ideal dressing for treating wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of dressings using topically administered bitter melon extract with olive oil, pure olive oil, nitrofurazone, and saline in the healing of ischemic wounds. A sample group of 48 rats was used in the trial. Their wounds were treated with bitter melon extract, pure olive oil, nitrofurazone, and saline. Data were collected between October 2014 and April 2015. The highest percentage (94.7%) of wound healing was observed in the bitter melon extract group and the lowest percentage (86.3%) in the nitrofurazone group. At the end of the 21st day, macroscopic reepithelialization was observed in 9 wounds in the bitter melon extract group (75%), in 6 wounds in the pure olive oil group (50%), and in only 3 wounds in the nitrofurazone and saline groups (25%). It can be concluded that dressing with a bitter melon extract is more efficient in the treatment of wounds than using nitrofurazone or saline, and that dressing with olive oil accelerates wound healing, although not as much as dressing with bitter melon extract.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [1150929]\This study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) as part of the 1002-Fast Foundation Project with number 1150929

Effect of CdCI2CI_2/annealing on the crystalline transformation of CdTe thin films grown by evaporation at a low substrate temperature

The structural and optical properties of CdTe thin films prepared at a low substrate temperature were investigated before and after the Cd$CI _2$ /annealing. The crystal structure of CdTe film was cubic with a strong (111) preferential orientation. Annealing at 400 ◦C without Cd$CI _2$ treatment results in a decrease in the (111) peak intensity while the intensities of the (220), (311) and (331) peaks appeared, indicating that the texture is significantly changed. However, after the Cd$CI _2$ /annealing, the film exhibited a hexagonal phase as a dominant structure. The scanning electron microscopy patterns showed that the as-deposited and annealed samples had almost the same grain size. However, the grain size of the sample annealed after the Cd$CI _2$ treatment increased significantly. The optical band gap values for the as grown and Cd$CI _2$ /annealed films were determined to be ∼1.48 eV and ∼1.49 eV, respectively

Structural, optical and electrical properties of Al-doped ZnO microrods prepared by spray pyrolysis

Al-doped ZnO thin films were obtained on glass substrates by spray pyrolysis in air atmosphere. The molar ratio of Al in the spray solution was changed in the range of 0-20 at.% in steps of 5 at.%. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films showed that the undoped and Al-doped ZnO films exhibited hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with a preferred orientation along (002) direction. Surface morphology of the films obtained by scanning electron microscopy revealed that pure ZnO film grew as quasi-aligned hexagonal shaped microrods with diameters varying between 0.7 and 1.3 mu m. However, Al doping resulted in pronounced changes in the morphology of the films such as the reduction in the rod diameter and deterioration in the surface quality of the rods. Nevertheless, the morphology of Al-doped samples still remained rod-like with a hexagonal cross-section. Flower-like structures in the films were observed due to rods slanting to each other when spray solution contained 20 at.% Al. Optical studies indicated that films had a low transmittance and the band gap decreased from 3.15 to 3.10 eV with the increasing Al molar ratio in the spray solution from 0 to 20 at.%

Subcutaneous NPH Insulin for Severe Hypertriglyceridemia in a Pregnant Patient with Type V Hyperlipoproteinemia: a Case Report

An increase in triglyceride levels in familial hyperlipidemia during pregnancy has been reported. Severe hypertriglyceridemia can lead to complications such as acute pancreatitis, preeclampsia, maternal and fetal complications. Because of the teratogenic effects associated with fibrate therapy in pregnancy, alternative treatment strategies such as insulin as a rapid and potent activator of lipoprotein lipase are required during pregnancy. We report a case of hypertriglyceridemia in a 33-year-old pregnant woman in whom treatment with merely single one time administration of Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin was accompanied by a reduction in the serum triglyceride level; to the best of our knowledge, this has never been reported in the literature. Her triglyceride level was 3616 mg/dL before insulin treatment and 1246 mg/dL after insulin treatment. Although this regimen was used safely and effectively in our patient, comprehensive studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneously intermediate-acting Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia in non-diabetic pregnant women

Which type 2 diabetes mellitus patients should be screened for subclinical Cushing's syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance are common in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). In this study we investigated the incidence of subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) in type 2 diabetic patients with poor and good metabolic control and the relationship between blood glucose and cortisol levels. DESIGN: A total of 400 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (Group A, HbA1c >= 8%, n=250; Group B, HbA1c <= 6.5%, n=150) were included in the study. Biochemical tests followed by the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) were performed. If post-DST cortisol levels were above 1.8 mu g/dl (non-suppressed group), the 2 mg DST test was performed for 2 days. Among the patients, post-DST cortisol of at least 1.8 mu g/dL and midnight serum cortisol levels of at least 7.5 mu g/dL confirmed the diagnosis of CS. RESULTS: While SCS was observed in 5 patients (2%) in Group A, no case was observed in group B. There was a statistically significant difference between groups for basal cortisol and post-DST cortisol results (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Microvascular complication rates were higher in the non-suppressed group (p=0.007). Post-DST cortisol levels had a positive correlation with the number of complications and HbA1c levels (respectively r=0.213, p<0.001, and r=0.191, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that durations of DM, HbA1c level, and post 1 mg DST cortisol levels were associated with the number of complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the presence of SCS in a notable number in T2DM patients having poor metabolic control. Screening with 1 mg and 2 mg DST of T2DM patients with poor metabolic control who are also obese and hypertensive and have microvascular complications may be an appropriate method for detection of SCS

Vinorelbine in Combination with Carboplatin followed by Single-agent Consolidation Therapy for Unresectable Localized or Metastatic Non-small-cell Lung Carcinomas

Background: Adding more than four cycles of the combination regimen increase toxicities. The availability of an intravenous (i.v.) and oral form of vinorelbine appeared as a particularly convenient way to provide a consolidation treatment to patients who have achieved an objective response or stable disease. Patients and methods: This study was retrospectively designed to investigate the efficacy in terms of response and safety of i.v. vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) on day 1 and oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m(2) on day 8 given with carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 5 once every 3 weeks (q3w) for four cycles followed by consolidation therapy with single-agent vinorelbine in non-progressive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results: Seventy-two patients enrolled into the study from October 2006 to July 2009 received the combination regimen. Thirty-seven patients (51.3%) also received the subsequent consolidation treatment. Partial tumor responses were obtained in 25 patients (34.7%) of 72 evaluable patients. Stable disease was observed in 26 (36.1%) of patients. The median progression free-survival was 4 months (95% CI 3.1-4.8). The median overall survival time was 10 months (95% CI 8.2-11.7) and the 1 year survival was 38.1%. The main toxicities recorded were hematological. Grade 3-4 neutropenia were observed in 17 patients (23.6%). Only two patients experienced grade three febrile neutropenia in the induction period, and there was no occurrence of febril neutropenia in the consolidation period. Nausea and vomiting were the major non-hematological toxicities reported. Toxicities occurred primarily during the initial combination phase of the chemotherapy. Conclusions: Despite the low dose of vinorelbine (25mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 and only 60 mg/m(2) oral on day 8, every 3 weeks) achieved during the study, the response rate of 34.7%, the disease control of 70.8% and the 10 months median overall survival with tolerable toxicity profile, confirmed that this combination, offers an active and safe regimen for patients with advanced NSCL