An assessment of the factors that influence biology teacher candidates’ levels of academic self-efficacy

AbstractThe aim of this study is to assess the factors that influence biology teacher candidates’ levels of academic self-efficacy. This study, in which the descriptive model was used, was carried out with the participation of 155 biology teacher candidates. The data were collected through the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale and Personal Information Form. It was determined in the study that the biology teacher candidates’ levels of academic self-efficacy are above the medium level, and a statistically significant difference exists between the levels of academic self-efficacy according to gender in favour of the male teacher candidates. In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the levels of academic self-efficacy and grade levels; the level of academic self-efficacy increases as the grade level increases. It was also determined that the level of academic self-efficacy changes most under the influence of general academic achievement, and then under the influences of grade level and gender variables

The utility of faces pain scale in a chronic musculoskeletal pain model

The main aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility and sensitivity to change of faces pain scale (FPS) in patients with shoulder pain, chosen as a chronic pain model. The secondary aim was to determine the association of FPS with psychologic status and quality of life of these patients. Methods. Thirty Turkish patients with chronic shoulder pain were included in the study. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS), which is a commonly used pain scale besides FPS. Depression and quality of life were screened by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36). All assessments were done before and after the physical therapy. Results. There was a statistically significant decrease in pain severity after the treatment as indicated by FPS and VAS (P = 0.000). The standardized response mean (SRM) value of FPS of 2.35 was accepted as a good responsiveness. The FPS showed a strong correlation with VAS (r = 0.62 and 0.73) both before and after the treatment. Also, moderate to strong correlations were detected between the FPS and physical functioning (PF), physical role (PR), bodily pain (BP), emotional role (ER), general health (GH), mental health (MH) subscales of SF-36 (r = -0.58–0.80), and BDI scores (r = 0.39) before the treatment. However, there were moderate and weak correlations with FPS and PR and social functioning (SF) subscales of SF-36 only after the treatment (r = -0.52 and r = -0.39). Conclusions. FPS is a satisfactory tool to assess pain in patients with chronic pain conditions and demonstrates sensitivity to detect changes after the treatment

Sıcak Yırtılmanın Alüminyum Alaşımlarının Metal Kalitesine Etkisinin İncelenmesi ve Alaşımların Titreşim Karakteristiğinin Belirlenmesi

Alüminyum alaşımlarının döküm yoluyla üretilmesindeki önemli kusurlardan birisi sıcak yırtılmadır. Bu çalışmada, farklı özelliklere sahip 1050 ve 5083 döküm alaşımlarının sıcak yırtılmaları araştırılmış ve sıcak yırtılmaya neden olan tasarım parametreleri ile döküm koşulları belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca sıcak yırtılmanın metalografik ve mekanik özellikler üzerindeki etkileri de araştırılmıştır. Bununla birlikte, Vakum Altında Katılaşma Testi (VAKT) ile bifilm indeks ölçümleri gerçekleştirilerek sıcak yırtılmanın metal kalitesi üzerindeki etkileri, döküm alaşımlarının yapısındaki porozitelerin varlığına bağlı olarak incelenmiştir. Son olarak, döküm alaşımlarının doğal frekans analizleri ve titreşim testleri yapılmış, serbest titreşim ve burkulma karakteristikleri farklı sınır koşulları altında ayrı ayrı incelenmiştir

Reliability and validity of psychological general well-being index in Turkish population

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) in healthy and patient population. Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy individuals (Group 1) and 194 patients (Group 2) were included in the study. Group 2 comprised patients with low back pain and neck pain (n=50, Group 2a), osteoarthritis (n=50, Group 2b), fibromyalgia syndrome (n=50, Group 2c) and stroke (n=44, group 2d). The PGWBI was translated into Turkish according to standard adaptation procedure. This index consisted of 6 subscales (anxiety, depressed mood, positive well-being, self-control, general health and vitality) and 22 items. The PGWBI was administered to subjects twice a week for testing reliability. Validity was based on correlating the PGWBI scores with that of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Results: The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were found to be good in healthy individuals and patient groups separately (Cronbach's alpha range: 0.93-0.92; intraclass correlation coefficient range: 0.88-0.99). The total scores of the PGWBI in healthy individuals showed significant correlations with all subareas of the NHP (r range:-0.38-0.70, p0.05). The total PGWBI scores had significant correlations with all subscores of the NHP in patient groups (range from r:-0.29-0.64, p<0.05). Conclusion: The Turkish version of the PGWBI is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating quality of life in healthy and patient population. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2010;56:161-

Glofitamab in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Real world data

Abstract INTRODUCT ̇ION Glofitamab is a T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody connecting CD20 on B cells and CD3 on T cells. Although, most of the patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (BNHL) achieve complete response (CR) following firstline treatment with rituximab and chemotherapy, about 40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is refractory or relapse (R/R). Autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) can cure some of these patients but many patients cannot undergo this procedure. CAR-T therapies are a significant advance but not available in many countries like Turkey. In Phase II expansion study, the overall response rate (ORR) was 51.6% and complete remission (CR) rate was 39.4% in R/R DLBCL patients (Dickinson er al. JCO 2022). In this retrospective study, we aimed to report the outcomes of patients who used glofitamab via compessionate use in Turkey

Assessment the effect of diabetes education on self-care behaviors and glycemic control in the Turkey Nursing Diabetes Education Evaluating Project (TURNUDEP): a multi-center study

Background: Diabetes education in Turkey is provided by diabetes nurse educators in almost all healthcare organizations. However, the education is not standardized in terms of learning content, duration, and methods. This multi-center study was performed to assess the self-care behaviors and glycemic control following education provided to the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by diabetes nurse educators. Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study and included 1535 patients admitted to 28 public hospitals for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The education was assessed by using a Patient Identification Form and Self-care Scale. Results: The proportion of individuals who received diabetes education within the last year was 78.5%, with 46.7% of them having received it once. Of the patients, 84.8% reported that they received diabetes education individually. It was found that the proportion of individuals who received education about oral antidiabetics (78.5%) and glucose testing at home (78.5%) was higher than the proportion of individuals who received education about exercise (58.8%) and foot care (61.6%). The status of diabetes education, education intervals, and the correlation of the education method with self-care and glycemic control was evaluated. Self-care and glycemic control levels were better among the patients who received diabetes education thrice or more and in patients who received education both individually and in a group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Approximately three-quarters of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus received education by diabetes nurse educators in Turkey. Diabetes education is positively correlated with self-care and glycemic control levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Efforts for generalization and standardized education for all diabetes patients are necessary. © 2022, The Author(s)

The Effect of Different Strategies forCombining Disordered Thresholds on Rasch Model Fit

Objective: The internal construct validity of the scales is examined by Rasch analysis. There are limited number of studies on how to combine disordered thresholds in Rasch analysis. In this study, new four different category-combining strategies are proposed in order to combine disordered thresholds. The effects of these strategies on the overall fit of the Rasch model are investigated. Material and Methods: The strategies are obtained by combining the categories with disordered thresholds, “to the left, to the right, to middle-left, and to middle-right”. It is decided to use the Partial Credit Model as the appropriate Rasch model. The data is obtained using the measurement tool, which assesses the disability levels of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The internal construct validity of this scale is evaluated using RUMM2030 software. Results: In the measurement tools obtained after the category combining, information loss occurred due to the combining of the categories and it has been seen that standard errors of the ability of individuals have risen. However, the model fit and internal consistency of measurement tools have increased after the combining strategies. Conclusion: The category combining strategies are carried out on only one sample data, and since the single strategy is applied for all items in the combining process, the size of the disordered thresholds is ignored. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a simulation study in order to generalize the results obtained

The Effect Of Body Mass Index On Bone Mineral Density In Postmenopausal Women - Original Investigation

Aim: We aimed to determine the relationship between bone mineral density and body mass index in postmenopausal women. Material and Methods: 54 postmenopausal women were included in the study. Age and time of menopause were recorded. Smoking, alcohol and exercise status were also recorded. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. The patients were separated into four groups according to their body mass index, as underweight, ideal weight, over-weight and obese. Bone mineral density in all the patients was assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry from antero-posterior lumbar and right proximal femoral regions. For L2-4 and the femoral neck, bone mineral density and t scores were determined. Results: The study was performed in 54 postmenopausal women, ranging in age from 51 to 79 years. 22 (%40.8) of the patients were obese, 24 (%44.4) were overweight and 8 (%14.8) had ideal weight. There were no patients in underweight group. There were no difference in age, smoking, time of menopause, bone mineral density and t-scores among the groups. There was statistically significant correlation between body mass index and bone mineral density of the femoral neck (r =0.407, p=0.002), and femoral neck t-scores (r =0.297, p=0.029). There was no significant correlation between the body mass index and lumbar bone mineral density and lumbar t-scores (p >0.05). Conclusion: Body mass index was found to be related to bone mineral density of the femoral neck. Our findings suggest that maintenance of adequate body mass is important for the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss. (From the World of Osteoporosis 2007;13:56-9