Developing a Human Balance Test System (DETES) in Order to Investigate Control Mechanisms of Human Erect Posture

An originally designed 3-dof (2-dof perturbation platform and 1-dof cabin) human balance testing system (DETES) has been developed for delivering mechanical and perceptual stimuli in a controlled embedding environment in order to investigate sensory-motor control of human erect posture at physiological and/or pathological conditions. The human balance (especially studying vestibular system involved mechanisms) demonstrating complex (nonlinear) dynamical behavior in the context of postural adjustments having ecological roots/meanings (information) is to be tested (by means of quiet and perturbed stance) and analyzed for supporting (differential) diagnosis, monitoring/following the progress of the disease, and creating the new adaptive motor learning protocols for rehabilitation

Turkish EFL teachers' perceptions about the transferability of an online call training

This study examined the factors affecting the transferability of a four-week online CALL training from the perspectives of eight Turkish L2 English in-service teachers receiving the training on a voluntary basis. Through self-report data collected via interviews and reflection reports, the researcher aimed to investigate the potential of online in-service CALL training for training language teachers to integrate CALL in their classrooms. The findings pointed at many factors that impinged on teachers' CALL integration into their classes. These were related to (a) teachers' perceived competence for transfer (b) the design of the training (c) issues related to MONE (Ministry of National Education) (d) technological infrastructure at schools and (e) a lack of supporting school environment for technology integration. Based on these findings, the researcher came up with a sequential procedure for online inservice CALL training, which is proposed to be a valuable means for the transfer of knowledge and skills gained in CALL training to a real language classroom

Antifungal consumption, indications and selection of antifungal drugs in paediatric tertiary hospitals in Turkey: Results from the first national point prevalence survey

Objectives: The aim of this point prevalence survey was to evaluate the consumption, indications and strategies of antifungal therapy in the paediatric population in Turkey. Methods: A point prevalence study was performed at 25 hospitals. In addition to general data on paediatric units of the institutes, the generic name and indication of antifungal drugs, the presence of fungal isolation and susceptibility patterns, and the presence of galactomannan test and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results were reviewed. Results: A total of 3338 hospitalised patients were evaluated. The number of antifungal drugs prescribed was 314 in 301 patients (9.0%). Antifungal drugs were mostly prescribed in paediatric haematology and oncology (PHO) units (35.2%), followed by neonatal ICUs (NICUs) (19.6%), paediatric services (18.3%), paediatric ICUs (PICUs) (14.6%) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) units (7.3%). Antifungals were used for prophylaxis in 147 patients (48.8%) and for treatment in 154 patients (50.0%). The antifungal treatment strategy in 154 patients was empirical in 77 (50.0%), diagnostic-driven in 29 (18.8%) and targeted in 48 (31.2%). At the point of decision-making for diagnostic-driven antifungal therapy in 29 patients, HRCT had not been performed in 1 patient (3.4%) and galactomannan test results were not available in 12 patients (41.4%). Thirteen patients (8.4%) were receiving eight different antifungal combination therapies. Conclusion: The majority of antifungal drugs for treatment and prophylaxis were prescribed in PHO and HSCT units (42.5%), followed by ICUs. Thus, antifungal stewardship programmes should mainly focus on these patients within the availability of diagnostic tests of each hospital. © 2018 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cance

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P < 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients