Investigating the effectiveness of teaching methods based on a four-step constructivist strategy

This paper reports on an investigation of the effectiveness an intervention using several different methods for teaching solution chemistry. The teaching strategy comprised a four-step approach derived from a constructivist view of learning. A sample consisting of 44 students (18 boys and 26 girls) was selected purposively from two different Grade 9 classes in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Data collection employed a purpose-designed ‘solution chemistry concept test’, consisting of 17 items, with the quantitative data from the survey supported by qualitative interview data. The findings suggest that using different methods embedded within the four-step constructivist-based teaching strategy enables students to refute some alternative conceptions, but does not completely eliminate student alternative conceptions for solution chemistry

Depression in Pregnancy: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Treatment

Depression in pregnancy is a common psychiatric disorder affecting health of both the mother and the unborn child. The prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms during pregnancy ranges from 12% to 36%. Genetic, psychological, biological, environmental and hormonal factors comprise the predisposing factors for development of depression. Depression in pregnancy may cause such pregnancy and obstetrical complications as preterm delivery, preeclampsia, difficult birth, increased need for surgical intervention during delivery, smaller fetus compared to the gestational age, newborns with low birth weights and low apgar scores. It is also important due to its potential to increase the risk of suicide attempts and postpartum depression. Depression seen at an early period of the pregnancy affects both the mother and the fetus negatively in the long run. Therefore, early diagnosis of depression and its treatment will decrease the prospective risks for both parts. Health care staff play a key role in the early detection of the risk groups inclined to the gestational depression, in the prevention and treatment of depression. With the present work, we aimed at revising the diagnosis of the depression in pregnancy, its prevalence, risk factors for mother and fetus, its prevention and treatment during pregnancy

On The Expected Values of Distribution of the Sample Range of Order Statistics from the Geometric Distribution

The expected values of the distribution of the sample range of order statistics from the geometric distribution are presented. For n up to 10, algebraic expressions for the expected values are obtained. Using the algebraic expressions, expected values based on the p and n values can be easily computed

A tabu-search based heuristic for the hub covering problem over incomplete hub networks

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Hub location problems deal with finding the location of hub facilities and with the allocation of demand nodes to these located hub facilities. In this paper, we study the single allocation hub covering problem over incomplete hub networks and propose an integer programming formulation to this end. The aim of our model is to find the location of hubs, the hub links to be established between the located hubs, and the allocation of non-hub nodes to the located hub nodes such that the travel time between any origin–destination pair is within a given time bound. We present an efficient heuristic based on tabu search and test the performance of our heuristic on the CAB data set and on the Turkish network

Validity and reliability of strain gauge measurement of volitional quadriceps force in patients with COPD

This study investigated the validity and reliability of fixed strain gauge measurements of isometric quadriceps force in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total cohort of 138 patients with COPD were assessed. To determine validity, maximal volitional quadriceps force was evaluated during isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) manoeuvre via a fixed strain gauge dynamometer and compared to (a) potentiated non-volitional quadriceps force obtained via magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve (twitch (Tw); n = 92) and (b) volitional computerized dynamometry (Biodex; n = 46) and analysed via correlation coefficients. Test-retest and absolute reliability were determined via calculations of intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), smallest real differences (SRDs) and standard errors of measurement (SEMs). For this, MVC recordings in each device were performed across two test sessions separated by a period of 7 days ( n = 46). Strain gauge measures of MVC demonstrated very large correlation with Tw and Biodex results ( r = 0.86 and 0.88, respectively, both p < 0.0001). ICC, SEM and SRD were numerically comparable between strain gauge and Biodex devices (ICC = 0.96 vs. 0.93; SEM = 8.50 vs. 10.54 N.m and SRD = 23.59 vs. 29.22 N.m, respectively). The results support that strain gauge measures of quadriceps force are valid and reliable in patients with COPD

Effectiveness of nivolumab in an elderly patient with metastatic BRAF-negative melanoma originating from the anal region

High serum concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma. Herein, we present a case of a 92-year-old patient with metastatic melanoma and negative prognostic factors treated with anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab. The therapy yielded excellent clinical results: significant regression of metastatic lesions and improvement in the patient’s performance status. The presented case confirms previously reported observations regarding high clinical activity and acceptable safety profile of nivolumab in elderly patients.High serum concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma. Herein, we present a case of a 92-year-old patient with metastatic melanoma and negative prognostic factors treated with anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab. The therapy yielded excellent clinical results: significant regression of metastatic lesions and improvement in the patient’s performance status. The presented case confirms previously reported observations regarding high clinical activity and acceptable safety profile of nivolumab in elderly patients

Parasitic Appendicitis From Past to Present in Turkey

Background: Understanding the etiology of appendicitis is important for developing effective treatments the rela­tionship between parasitic appendicitis and various socio-cultural factors were examined, particu­larly with respect to the incidence of literacy. The aim of the article was to research the relations between para­sitic appendicitis and literacy ratio in population.Methods: Cases of parasitic appendicitis resulting in surgery performed at Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Large State Hospital Surgery Clinic between 2002 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed and classified accord­ing to age, sex, type of parasite, morbidity, and mortality. Studies conducted in different regions of Turkey as well as in other countries were reviewed to determine if there was a relationship between para­sitic appendicitis and literacy. Results: Of the 1,969 appendectomy cases reviewed, nine were classified as parasitic appendicitis (0.45%). Enterobius vermicularis was observed in seven cases and Taenia spp. in two. The average age was 26.4 yr. No morbidity or mortality was found.Conclusion: The data were compared with a retrospective review of studies conducted in the same regions and a decrease in the rate of parasitic appendicitis was observed during the period between the two re­views. It was determined that a low literacy rate was associated with an increase in the incidence of para­sitic appendicitis. Observations made between different countries also produced similar results. In coun­tries where the incidence of parasitic appendiciticis was greater than 1.5%, the literacy rate was less than 88%. To avoid appendectomy resulting from parasites, it is important to increase education and literacy. In some areas, individuals with appendicitis undergo surgery due to a lack of education or poor literacy