Turkish counselor trainees’ experiences regarding experiential groups: A qualitative study

The purpose of the study was to examine Turkish counselor trainees’ experiences in participating in an experiential training group. The phenomenological research design was used to understand counselor trainees’ experiences in experiential group. The 18 undergraduate counseling students (14 female and 4 male) enrolled in a group counseling course were the participants of the study. The data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews after the completion of twelve- week experiential counseling groups. Content analysis was used to analyze the data and according to results, three main themes emerged: a) perceptions, b) contributions and c) problems. Under the perceptions theme emotions and metaphors codes emerged. Vocational and personal contributions were two main codes emerged under the contributions theme. And under the problems theme, two codes emerged as group structure and group process. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature and recommendations for counselor educators and researchers are presented.

Türkçe-konuşan inme hastalarında motor imgeleme yeteneği: İki imgeleme anketinin güvenirlik ve yapı geçerlik çalışması

Purpose: Motor imagery is considered as a complementary approach for functional recovery after stroke. Thus, applying reliable assessment tools to measure imagery ability in stroke is essential. The aims of this study were to apply Turkish versions of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) and the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20 (KVIQ-20) in individuals with stroke and investigate the validity and reliability of both questionnaires. Methods: Stroke patients with mild functional impairments (n=31) and healthy volunteers who age- and gender-matched were selected as a control group (n=29) were recruited to the study. The test-retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to assess concurrent validity of the KVIQ-20 with the MIQ-3. Furthermore, the internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and factorial structures of both questionnaires were investigated. Results: Each sub-score of the MIQ-3 was found statistically different between stroke and control groups (p<0.001). Only visual sub-score of the KVIQ-20 yielded statistically different between stroke and control groups (p<0.001). ICC values were in the acceptable level of reliability (0.571-0.850). Both questionnaires had good internal consistency with high Cronbach’s alpha (Cronbach’s alpha test/retest for MIQ-3=0.941/0.970; test/retest=0.971/0.981 for KVIQ-20.). The concurrent validity between the KVIQ-20 and MIQ-3 was good (r=0.40, p<0.05). Exploratory factor analysis confirmed that MIQ-3 had three-factor and KVIQ-20 had two-factor structure. These obtained factors were explaining 88.99% and 80.87% of the total variance, respectively. Conclusion: Turkish versions of the MIQ-3 and KVIQ-20 are the tools with good reliability and validity to assess motor imagery ability in stroke patients with mild functional impairments.Amaç: Motor imgeleme, inme sonrası fonksiyonel iyileşme için tamamlayıcı bir yaklaşım olarak kabul edilir. Bu nedenle, inmede imgeleme yeteneğini ölçmek için güvenilir değerlendirme araçlarının uygulanması gereklidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, inmeli bireylerde Hareket İmgeleme Anketi-3 (HİA-3) ve Kinestetik ve Görsel Görüntüleme Anketi-20'nin (KGİA-20) Türkçe versiyonlarını uygulamak ve her iki anketin geçerlilik ve güvenilirliğini araştırmaktı. Yöntem: Hafif fonksiyonel bozukluğu olan inme hastaları (n=31) ile yaş ve cinsiyet açısından eşleştirilmiş sağlıklı gönüllü bireyler kontrol grubu olarak (n=29) çalışmaya dâhil edildi. Test-tekrar test güvenilirliği, sınıf içi korelasyon katsayılarıyla (ICC) değerlendirildi. KGİA-20’nin HİA-3 ile eşzamanlı geçerliliğini değerlendirmek için Spearman’ın korelasyon analizi gerçekleştirildi. Ayrıca, her iki anketin iç tutarlılığı (Cronbach alfa) ve faktör yapıları araştırıldı. Sonuçlar: HİA’nin her alt bölümü, inme ve kontrol grupları arasında istatiksel olarak farklı bulundu (p<0,001). KGİA-20’nin sadece görsel alt skoru, inme ve kontrol grupları arasında istatistiksel olarak farklıydı (p <0,001). ICC değerleri kabul edilebilir güvenirlik seviyesindeydi (0,571-0,850). Her iki anket de yüksek Cronbach alfa ile iyi bir iç tutarlılığa sahipti (Cronbach alfa HİA-3 için test/tekrar test=0,941/0,970; KGİA-20 için test/tekrar test=0,971/0,981). KGİA-20 ve HİA-3 arasındaki eşzamanlı geçerlilik iyiydi (r = 0,40, p <0,05). Açıklayıcı faktör analizi HİA’nin üç faktörlü ve KGİA-20’nin iki faktörlü yapıya sahip olduğunu doğruladı. Elde edilen bu faktörler toplam varyansın sırası ile %88,99 ve %80,87’sini açıklamaktaydı. Tartışma: HİA-3 ve KGİA-20’nin Türkçe versiyonları, hafif fonksiyonel bozukluğu olan inme hastalarında motor imgeleme yeteneğini değerlendirmek için iyi güvenirlik ve geçerliliğe sahip araçlardır

Comparison of the foot-ankle characteristics and physical and functional performance of racquet sport players

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess and compare foot–ankle characteristics and physical performances of different types of racquet sport players. Methods: The study was carried out with a control group and 3 racquet sports groups. Ten individuals were included in each group. Foot static and dynamic pressure distributions were assessed with a pedobarography device (FreeMed® Maxi; Sensor Medica®; Guidonia Montecelio, Rome, Italy). Functional performance parameters were evaluated with several tests. Differences between groups were evaluated with the 1-way analysis of variance test, and the Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference Test (HSD) test was used as a post hoc test to determine the significant difference between groups. Results: There was no significant difference regarding pedobarographic variables between groups (P > .05). Blind Stork Balance Test parameters were found to be different between groups and significantly higher in the tennis group than the control group (P < .05). Modified Star Balance Test parameters were found to be different between groups, and results in table tennis players were found to be significantly higher than in badminton group (P < .05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, we could not detect any differences in pedobarographic variables in racquet sport players. Characteristic differences regarding physical performances were found in different kinds of racquet sports. There is a need for more extensive studies on this subject

Role of tobacco exposure in the course of COVID-19 disease and the impact of the disease on smoking behavior

Background The effect of COVID-19 on smoking behavior is not fully known. Studies evaluating the link between smoking and COVID-19 have controversial results. This study aims to evaluate patients' smoking status with COVID-19 and the effect of COVID-19 on smoking behavior. Methods Data were collected from 150 COVID-19 patients with a positive polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 between 11 March 2020 and 15 May 2020 in Rize, Turkey. Patients were interviewed by phone calls 2 months after their recovery. After 9 months, a follow-up was performed for those who quit smoking. Results Of the participants, 19 (12.7%) were current smokers before the COVID-19 diagnosis, and 15 (78.9%) of them stated that they quit smoking after their diagnosis. After nine months of follow-up, 11 of those 15 participants (57.8%) sustained abstinence. Conclusion Smoking cessation rates are high in people with COVID-19. Besides, the frequency of sustaining abstinence in the long term was also high in these individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic should be viewed as an open opportunity to strengthen and prioritize smoking cessation activities

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the kinesthetic and visual imagery questionnaire- 20

Amaç: Bildiğimiz kadarıyla Türkçe diline çevrilen ve yayınlanan bir imgeleme anketi yoktur. Bu çalışmanın amacı Kinestetik ve Görsel İmgeleme Anketi- 20’nin (KGIA-20) Türkçe diline çevirmek, geçerlik ve güvenirliğini araştırmak idi. Yöntem: Çalışmaya kırk dört kadın ve on beş erkek olmak üzere elli dokuz sağlıklı gönüllü dahil edildi. Anketin Türkçe’ye çevrilmesinin ardından KGIA-20’nin güvenirliği ile iç tutarlılığı test edildi. Test-tekrar test güvenirliğini değerlendirmek ve sınıf içi korelasyon katsayısını (ICC) hesaplamak amacıyla anket tüm katılımcılara iki kez uygulandı. Cronbach alfa değeri, anketin iç tutarlılığını belirlemek için hesaplandı. Anketin yapısal geçerliliğini değerlendirmek için açıklayıcı faktör analizi yapıldı. Bulgular: Cronbach alfa katsayıları tüm anket için kabul edilebilir seviyedeydi (test ve tekrar test için: 0.98 ve 0.98). Anketin bu değeri görsel maddeler için test ve tekrar test değerleri olarak sırasıyla 0.95 ve 0.95; kinestetik maddeler için 0.97 ve 0.96 olarak bulundu. Anketin görsel başlıklar için ICC katsayı değerleri (%95 güven aralığında (GA)) 0.61– 0.90; kinestetik maddeler için ise 0.59– 0.89 olarak bulundu. Faktör analiz sonuçları anketin iki faktörlü yapısının total varyansın %64.21’ini açıkladığını gösterdi. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, KGIA-20’nin Türkçe versiyonunun Türk toplumunda imgelemeyi değerlendiren geçerli ve güvenilir bir araç olduğunu gösterdi.Purpose: As far we know, there is no any imagery questionnaire translated into Turkish and published. The aim of this study was to translate the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20 (KVIQ-20) into Turkish to investigate the validity and reliability. Methods: The study included forty four females and fifteen males, totally fifty nine healthy volunteers. After the questionnaire was translated into Turkish, the reliability and the internal consistency of KVIQ-20 was computed. The questionnaire was applied twice to all participants to evaluate the test-retest reliability and to calculate the "Intraclass Correlation Coefficient” (ICC) value. The Cronbach’s Alpha value was calculated to determine internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the validity of the questionnaire. Results: The Cronbach’s Alpha value regarding the questionnaire taken as a whole was satisfactory (test-retest: 0.98-0.98). This value was found for visual items 0.95 for test and 0.95 for retest; for kinesthetic items 0.97 for test and 0.96 for retest. Intraclass correlation coefficients for visual items were ranges from 0.61 to 0.90 with 95% confidence interval (CI) and for kinesthetic items were ranges from 0.59 to 0.89. The factorial analyses indicated that two factors explained 64.21% of total variance. Conclusion: This study showed that Turkish version of the KVIQ-20 is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the imagery in the Turkish population

Investigating Pre-Service Primary Teachers' Perception and Attitudes towards Science and Technology Laboratory

Bu çalışmada, sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının fen laboratuvarı ortamına yönelik algıları ile fen ve teknoloji laboratuvar dersine yönelik tutumları arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Çalışma grubunu üç farklı ilde yer alan eğitim fakültelerinin sınıf öğretmenliği anabilim dalında öğrenim oluşturmaktadır. Öğretmen adaylarının laboratuvar öğrenme ortamı ile ilgili görüşlerinin saptanabilmesi için Fraser, Giddings ve McRobbie (1992) tarafından geliştirilen ve Özkan, Çakıroğlu ve Tekkaya (2006) tarafından Türkçe'ye uyarlanan "Fen Laboratuvarı Ortam Envanteri" laboratuvar ortamına yönelik tutumlarını belirlemek için ise; Yamak, Kavak, Canbazoğlu Bilici, Bozkurt ve Peder (2012) tarafından geliştirilen "Fen Laboratuvarına Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği" veri toplama aracı olarak kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin kanonik korelasyon analizi PASW 21 programında CANCORR syntax yazılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre, fen laboratuvarı ortamına yönelik algı veri setinde yer alan öğrenci ilişkileri, ders-laboratuvar ilişkisi, laboratuvar kuralları ve laboratuvar malzemeleri değişkenleri ile fen ve teknoloji laboratuvar dersine yönelik tutum veri setinde yer alan laboratuvarın önemi, laboratuvar dersi ve araç-gereç değişkenleri arasında pozitif bir ilişki bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir.This research explored the relationship between the pre-service primary teachers' perception of science laboratory learning environment and their attitudes towards science and technology laboratory course. The sample of the study consisted of 244 preservice primary teachers enrolling teacher education programs in three different Turkish state universities in three different regions of Turkey. The Science Laboratory Environment Inventory was used to investigate preservice primary teachers' perceptions related to science laboratory learning environment. The Attitude Scale Towards Science Laboratory Scale was used to explore pre-service primary teachers' attitudes towards science laboratory course. Canonical correlation analysis was run through PASW 21 program by writing CANCORR syntax to analyze data. The analysis of data revealed positive relationship between perceptions of pre-service teachers' science laboratory learning environment and their attitudes towards science laboratory course. The positive relationship was detected between the sub-variables peer; relationships under the category of perceptions of science laboratory learning environment and the sub variables importance of laboratory, use equipment in laboratory course, and laboratory materials under the category the main variable of attitudes towards science laboratory course

Effect of activated carbon produced from biochar on removal of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid from aqueous solutions

701-708The toxicity of pesticides and their degradation products is making these chemical substances a potential hazard by contaminating our environment. Therefore, the removal of pesticides from water is one of the major environmental concerns these days. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) belonging to the herbicide group, which is among the numerous pesticides used today, is widely used to control weeds due to its low cost and good selectivity. In order to offer an alternative to this environmental problem, the effect of activated carbon obtained by chemical activation from pyrolysis biochar on 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid removal from aqueous solutions has been investigated. The adsorption mechanism is explained by analyzing the effect of adsorption parameters. It is determined that the equilibrium data are suitable for Langmuir isotherm model among the applied isotherm models and the monolayer adsorption capacity is 344.83 mg g-1 at 318 K. The adsorption kinetics data of 2,4-D on activated carbon is better defined by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic calculations reveal that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The activated carbon obtained from biochar has been observed to have a high adsorption capacity compared to adsorbent materials obtained from many other raw materials for the removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid

Clinical, Radiological, Microbiological, and Histopathological Aspects of Acquired Dacryocystoceles

Purpose. The aim of this study is to investigate the etiology and the clinical, microbiological, histopathological, and radiological findings of acquired dacryocystoceles. Methods. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical records of 10 eyes of 8 patients with dacryocystoceles who underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery. Etiology, presenting symptoms and radiological findings as well as microbiological and histopathological assessment results and outcome were analyzed. Results. The records of 8 patients with dacryocystoceles were included in this study. In the histopathological evaluations of the samples collected from the lacrimal sac wall, chronic inflammation was found in all biopsied samples and fibrosis was observed in two histopathological evaluations. Computerized tomography (CT) imaging showed fluid collection separated from adjacent tissues by a thin rim, corresponding to dacryocystoceles in the sac. In the microbiological culture examination of samples collected from the fluid within the cyst, no bacterial growth in 5 eyes, gram-negative bacillus growth in 3 eyes, and gram-positive cocci growth in 2 eyes were found. Conclusions. Acquired dacryocystoceles were observed extremely rarely and a definite pathogenic agent could not be identified in any of the cases, either microbiologically or histologically, whereas chronic inflammation was detected in all cases in our study