Knowledge Sharing Self-Efficacy, Motivation and Sense of Community as Predictors of Knowledge Receiving and Giving Behaviors

This study examines the extent to which knowledge sharing self-efficacy, motivation and sense of community variables predict undergraduate students' knowledge sharing behaviors (knowledge receiving and knowledge giving) in online learning environments. The participants included undergraduate students (N = 284) from two different universities in Turkey. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were carried out to identify the variables predicting knowledge sharing behaviors as knowledge giving and receiving behaviors. The results revealed that both knowledge giving and receiving behaviors were best predicted by knowledge sharing self-efficacy, followed by motivations and sense of community. External effects and growth of aim affected knowledge receiving, whereas only internal effects affected knowledge giving. The independence factor giving

An Analysis of Density And Degree-Centrality According To The Social Networking Structure Formed in An Online Learning Environment

In this study, we assessed the communication structure in an educational online learning environment using social network analysis (SNA). The communication structure was examined with respect to time, and instructors' participation. The course was implemented using ELGG, a network learning environment, blended with face-to-face sessions over a 14-week period. Data were collected from 114 undergraduate students who were enrolled in Instructional Technology and Material Design course. The program functions on the basis of a matrix; in this case a square matrix with rows and columns being the students' ID numbers. Density and centrality measures were visualized and interpreted. In terms of the density of the groups, it was found that the lowest density occurred during the first week. The highest density, on the other hand, occurred during the week when the instructor participated, in all the groups except for the third and sixth groups. The students placed in the center and those on the edges of the network differed on the basis of time as well as the instructor's participation. Other online learning environments could be assessed in a similar fashion using SNA in order to understand levels of participation and changes in interaction over time.Wo

Comparison of gemcitabine monotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin combination in metastatic pancreatic cancer: A retrospective analysis

Purpose: Gemcitabine is among the standard first-line agents for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, as the median survival with gemcitabine monotherapy is 6 months, different combinations are being studied for better, prolonged survival. In this multicenter study, we aimed to compare the results of gemcitabine monotherapy with those of gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy as first-line treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Methods: Data of 664 patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer between January 2007 and December 2016 from seven oncology centers in Turkey were retrospectively evaluated, and 319 patients with gemcitabine alone (n=138) or gemcitabine and cisplatin combination (n=181) as first-line treatment were included. Results: The median patient age was 62 years (range 42-79), being 60 years (42-75) in the gemcitabine/cisplatin arm and 67 years (52-79) in gemcitabine alone arm. no complete response was observed in either arm, whereas partial response rates were 30.1% in gemcitabine/cisplatin arm and 15.3% in gemcitabine alone arm (p=0.001). median overall survival was 8 months (95% CI:7.7–10.2) and was significantly longer in the gemcitabine/cisplatin arm than in the gemcitabine alone arm (10 vs. 6 months, p=0.004). Conclusion: The cemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy as first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer yields significantly prolonged survival over gemcitabine monotherapy. In patients with favorable performance conditions, the combination therapy should be preferred. © 2018 Zerbinis Publications. All Rights Reserved