A needs analysis for the establishment of a writing center at Bilkent University

Ankara : The Insitute of Economics and Social Sciences of Bilkent University, 1996.Thesis (Master's) -- Bilkent University, 1996.Includes bibliographical refences.This research study investigated the perceived writing needs of students at Bilkent University and whether establishing a writing center at Bilkent would serve those needs. Sixty-six students and twenty-four instructors participated in this study. The study had two sets of six research guestions. The first set of questions aimed at determining whether students were actually writing: Are students writing in their subject courses? What kinds of writing tasks are they writing? and Are they having difficulty? The second set aimed at exploring students' writing needs and whether establishing a writing center at Bilkent University would serve those needs: How do students perceive their writing needs? and How do English and subject instructors perceive students' writing needs? This study was followed in two steps. First, interviews were conducted with four English writing instructors and three subject area instructors. Based on these interviews questionnaires were designed. Questionnaires were distributed to two groups: 46 Freshman and 16 senior students and 14 English and 10 subject area instructors. Data regarding the questionnaires were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and means. The openended items were categorized. Means across groups were compared. The results of this study showed that students are in fact writing in their subject courses, taking essay type exams and are sometimes assigned research papers and oral presentations. Freshmen students feel more confident about their writing than senior students, but instructors feel that students are having difficulty and need extra assistance with their writing. Instructors indicated that they would encourage students to make use of a writing center and students indicated they would make use of a writing center as well. Although there is a perceived need for extra assistance in writing for students, results do not indicate that establishing a writing center would necessarily serve the needs of students, as students indicate reluctance about using the center.Güven, Şule BerilgenM.S

Occipital neuralgia following thoracic herpes zoster: case report Torasik herpes zoster sonrası gelişen oksipital nevralji: Olgu sunumu

Summary Paroxysmal shooting or stabbing pain in the dermatomes of the nervus occipitalis major or nervus occipitalis minor is defined as occipital neuralgia. The initial cause of the neuralgia appears to be from inflammation, damage or irritation of these nerves. In this article, we present a patient with occipital neuralgia followed by thoracic herpes lesion. Key words: Occipital neuralgia; zoster sine herpete. Özet Oksipital nevralji büyük oksipital sinir ve küçük oksipital sinirin dermatomlarında paroksismal batıcı ve çakıcı tarzda şiddetli ağrı olarak tarif edilmiştir. Nevralji bu sinirlerin inflamasyonundan, hasarından veya irritasyonundan kaynaklanmaktadır. Bu yazıda torasik herpes lezyonunu takiben ortaya çıkan oksipital nevraljili bir hastayı sunuyoruz. Anahtar sözcükler: Oksipital nevralji; zoster sine herpete

The role of a trauma-sensitive football group in the recovery of survivors of torture

Introduction: Whilst there is some preliminary evidence for the benefits of sports-related interventions for survivors of torture, there remains a need to understand better how sport and exercise can contribute to the rehabilitation of torture survivors. Specifically, this paper aims to: 1) explore the ways in which a football group contributed to the wellbeing of participants; and 2) suggest characteristics of the football group which could potentially contribute to its effectiveness. Method: We undertook an exploratory mixed methods study with participants and trainers of a joint programme delivered by Arsenal Football Club (London) and Freedom from Torture. We conducted individual and group discussions plus participatory ranking activities which led to the development of an initial programme model. This model was subsequently further developed through a variety of data collection methods . Results: Six potential outcomes of involvement in the football group were identified, some of which were inter-related: relationships; sense of belonging; hope for the future; emotion management; enjoyment; and improved physical health. In addition, the process highlighted factors contributing to the effectiveness of the football group: sense of safety; therapeutic aims; similar participants; partnership approach; staff characteristics; other opportunities; consistency. Conclusions: Our exploratory study suggests potential benefits from the programme that would require validation through a case-control study plus follow-up of participants. Nevertheless, we offer a model of understanding and some recommendations that can be a starting point for similar programmes and academic research in the area.http://dx.doi.org/10.7146/torture.v29i1.10661329pubpub

Headache during airplane travel (“airplane headache”): first case in Greece

Headache related to airplane flights is rare. We describe a 37-year-old female patient with multiple intense, jabbing headache episodes over the last 3 years that occur exclusively during airplane flights. The pain manifests during take-off and landing, and is located always in the left retro-orbital and frontotemporal area. It is occasionally accompanied by dizziness, but no additional symptoms occur. Pain intensity diminishes and disappears after 15–20 min. Apart from occasional dizziness, no other symptoms occur. The patient has a history of tension-type headache and polycystic ovaries. Blood tests and imaging revealed no abnormalities. Here, we present the first case in Greece. We review the current literature on this rare syndrome and discuss on possible pathophysiology and the investigation of possible co-factors such as anxiety and depression

Modulation of autonomic activity in neurological conditions: Epilepsy and Tourette Syndrome

This manuscript considers the central but neglected role of the autonomic nervous system in the expression and control of seizures in epilepsy (small) and tics in Tourette Syndrome (TS). In epilepsy, consideration of autonomic involvement is typically confined to differential diagnoses (e.g., syncope), or in relation to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Investigation is more limited in Tourette Syndrome. The role of the autonomic nervous system in the generation and prevention of epileptic seizures is largely overlooked. Emotional stimuli such as anxiety and stress are potent causes of seizures and tic activity in epilepsy and TS, respectively. This manuscript will describe a possible neural mechanism by which afferent autonomic projections linked to cognition and behavior influence central thalamo-cortical regulation, which appears to be an important means for controlling both seizure and tic activity. It also summarizes the link between the integrity of the default mode network and autonomic regulation in patients with epilepsy as well as the link between impaired motor control and autonomic regulation in patients with TS. Two neurological conditions; epilepsy and TS were chosen, as seizures and tics represent parameters that can be easily measured to investigate influences of autonomic functions. The EDA biofeedback approach is anticipated to gain a strong position within the next generation of treatment for epilepsy, as a non-invasive technique with minimal side effects. This approach also takes advantage of the current practical opportunity to utilize growing digital health technology

A comparative ID migraine screener study in ophthalmology, ENT and neurology out-patient clinics

Migraine is more likely to be misdiagnosed in patients with comorbid diseases. Not only primary care physicians, but also specialists might misdiagnose it due to the lack of diagnostic criteria awareness. The ID migraine test is a reliable screening instrument that may facilitate and accelerate migraine recognition. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and characteristics of migraine in a large sample of patients admitted to clinics of ophthalmology (OC), ear, nose and throat diseases (ENTC) and neurology (NC), as well as to validate the use of the ID migraine test in OC and ENTC settings. This was a multicentre (11 cites) study of out-patients admitting either to NC, ENTC or OC of the study sites during five consecutive working days within 1 week. From each of the clinics, 100 patients were planned to be recruited. All recruited patients were interviewed and those having a headache complaint received an ID migraine test and were examined for headache diagnosis by a neurologist, blinded to the ID migraine test result. A total of 2625 subjects were recruited. Only 1.3% of OC patients and 5.4% of ENTC patients have been admitted with a primary complaint of headache, whereas the percentage of NC patients suffering from headache was 37.6%. Whereas 138 patients (19.3%) in OC, 154 (17.3%) in ENTC and 347 (34%) in NC were found to be ID migraine test positive, 149 patients (20.8%) in OC, 142 (16%) in ENTC and 338 (33.1%) in NC were diagnosed with migraine. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive ratios of the ID migraine test were found to be similar in all clinics. An important fraction of the patients admitted to NC, as well as to OC and ENTC, for headache and/or other complaints were found out to have migraine by means of a simple screening test. This study validated the ID migraine test as a sensitive and specific tool in OC and ENTC, encouraging its use as a screening instrument.Pfizer-Türkiy

Post-discharge heart failure monitoring program in Turkey: Hit-PoinT

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of an enhanced heart failure (HF) education with a 6-month telephone follow- up program in post-discharge ambulatory HF patients. Methods: The Hit-Point trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of enhanced HF education with a 6-month telephone follow-up program (EHFP) vs routine care (RC) in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction. A total of 248 patients from 10 centers in various geographical areas were randomized: 125 to EHFP and 123 to RC. Education included information on adherence to treatment, symptom recognition, diet and fluid intake, weight monitoring, activity and exercise training. Patients were contacted by telephone after 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary study endpoint was cardiovascular death. Results: Although all-cause mortality didn't differ between the EHFP and RC groups (p=NS), the percentage of cardiovascular deaths in the EHFP group was significantly lower than in the RC group at the 6-month follow up (5.6% vs. 8.9%, p=0.04). The median number of emergency room visits was one and the median number of all cause hospitalizations and heart failure hospitalizations were zero. Twenty-tree percent of the EHFP group and 35% of the RC group had more than a median number of emergency room visits (p=0.05). There was no significant difference regarding the median number of all-cause or heart failure hospitalizations. At baseline, 60% of patients in EHFP and 61% in RC were in NYHA Class III or IV, while at the 6-month follow up only 12% in EHFP and 32% in RC were in NYHA Class III or IV (p=0.001). Conclusion: These results demonstrate the potential clinical benefits of an enhanced HF education and follow up program led by a cardiologist in reducing cardiovascular deaths and number of emergency room visits with an improvement in functional capacity at 6 months in post-discharge ambulatory HF patients.Türk Kardiyoloji Derneği Kalp Yetmezliği Çalışma Grub