An Open Inflationary Model for Dimensional Reduction and its Effects on the Observable Parameters of the Universe

Assuming that higher dimensions existed in the early stages of the universe where the evolution was inflationary, we construct an open, singularity-free, spatially homogeneous and isotropic cosmological model to study the effects of dimensional reduction that may have taken place during the early stages of the universe. We consider dimensional reduction to take place in a stepwise manner and interpret each step as a phase transition. By imposing suitable boundary conditions we trace their effects on the present day parameters of the universe.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in Int. J. of Mod. Phys.

Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Level, and Alpha Naphthyl Acetate Esterase Activity of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in the Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin Ducks

The aim of this study was to determine blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), ceruloplasmin and vitamin C, and the percentages of peripheral blood Tlymphocytes using the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) method on Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Muscovy (Cairina moschata) and Pekin (Anas domestica) ducks. Blood samples were obtained from 8 adult ducks of each breed. The serum levels observed in Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin ducks respectively were 0.8, 1.07 and 1.3 nmol MDA per ml; 77.4, 66.9 and 78.7 mg GSH per 100 ml; 23.9, 26.1 and 24.1 mg ceruloplasmin per 100 ml; and 0.50, 0.52 and 0.70 mg vitamin C per 100 ml. The percentage of the ANAE (+) lymphocytes was 57.9%, 54.8% and 55.1% in Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin ducks, respectively. In this study, blood levels of lipid peroxidation and nonenzymatic antioxidants in the Mallard, Muscovy and Pekin ducks were determined

Do Small Group Health Insurance Regulations Influence Small Business Size?

The cost of health insurance has been the primary concern of small business owners for several decades. State small group health insurance reforms, implemented in the 1990s, aimed to control the variability of health insurance premiums and to improve access to health insurance. Small group reforms only affected firms within a specific size range, and the definition of the upper size threshold for small firms varied by state and over time. As a result, small group reforms may have affected the size of small firms around the legislative threshold and may also have affected the propensity of small firms to offer health insurance. Previous research has examined the second issue, finding little to no effect of health insurance reforms on the propensity of small firms to offer health insurance. In this paper, we examine the relationship between small group reform and firm size. We use data from a nationally representative repeated cross-section survey of employers and data on state small group health insurance reform. Contrary to the intent of the reform, we find evidence that small firms just below the regulatory threshold that were offering health insurance grew in order to bypass reforms.Health insurance, small business

THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND THEIR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN IN TURKEY

In Turkey, whereas there are a number of studies which examine the communication of parents with their typically developing children, there are limited studies which examine the communication of parents with special needs children with their typically developing children. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the communication of parents with special needs children with their typically developing children. 295 parents who have both mentally disabled and typically developing children participated in the study in the 2019-2020 academic year. The data in the study were obtained by using the Parent-Child Communication Scale (PCCS) developed by Kahraman (2016). The scale consisting of 27 items contains 5 sub-dimensions and explains .54,3 of the total variance. For the overall reliability, the Cronbach’s alpha was .865. The data were analyzed by using the statistical techniques included in the SPSS program to analyze the data collected through the scale. There are two main objectives in the study: to explore the communication of parents with special needs children with their typically developing children in terms of various variables, and relationship between perception of problem-solving and unobstructed listening, open to share, respect-acceptance and sensitivity, which are among to the subscales of PCCS. As a result of the research, it was revealed that there was a significant difference between the genders, ages, education status, disability status of their special needs children and their monthly income levels of parents with special needs children and their communication levels with their typically developing children. As the perception of problem-solving increased in the communication of parents with special needs children with their typically developing children. However, there was no correlation between the perception of problem-solving and unobstructed listening skills of parents with special needs children with their typically developing children.  Article visualizations

EXAMINATION OF TEACHER CANDIDATES’ ATTITUDES, EMOTIONS, AND ANXIETIES REGARDING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION BY DIFFERENT VARIABLES

To benefit teaching-learning processes, Individuals needing special education must be placed in suitable education environments after educational identification and evaluation processes. The least restrictive environment approach was employed considering peer interaction and academic skills. Inclusive education is one of the most chosen least restrictive environments. Studies have suggested that inclusive education is beneficial for both the typical students and students with special needs. It is stated that the main element in the success of inclusive education is the teacher. Because teachers prepare, apply, monitor and evaluate the individualized educations programs which are suitable for the needs and characteristics of students with special needs. In this respect, it is known that the attitudes, emotions, and anxieties of teachers towards inclusive education are significant factors (Salend and Duhaney, 1999; Şekercioğlu, 2010; Diken, 1999). Many studies can be found on inclusive education but few of them are about the emotions, attitudes, and anxieties of teacher candidates towards inclusive education. So, this study aims to examine the emotions, attitudes, and anxieties of teacher candidates towards inclusive education by different variables such as gender, the department they are studying in, inclusive education legislation knowledge, and having been interacted with an inclusive student before. The relational screening model one the descriptive survey model was used in this study. 600 teacher candidates studying in ten different departments participated in the study. Data were collected through “Scale for Emotions, Attitudes, and Anxieties Regarding Inclusive Education” developed by Chris Forling et al. (2011) and adapted to Turkish by Bayar et al. (2015). Data were analyzed through SPSS. Independent samples t-test was used to reveal the differentiation in terms of gender and having an interaction before variables. One-way analysis of variance was applied to reveal the differentiation in terms of the legislation knowledge and department variables. Tukey test was performed to find the reason for the differentiation. The results revealed that there is no significant difference between gender and attitudes, emotions, and anxieties of teacher candidates, but that there is a significant difference between the having an interaction with inclusive students before, inclusive education legislation knowledge, the department they are studying in variables and attitudes, emotions, and anxieties of teacher candidates. It is understood that activities towards inclusive education in teaching practice course must be increased and the undergraduate programs must include a course regarding inclusive education.  Article visualizations

Health Savings Accounts for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Shopping, Take-Up and Implementation Challenges

A combination of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) holds promise for expanding health insurance for small firms. We provide information on HSA take-up and shopping behavior from a 2008 survey of female small business owners, revealing that the HSA marketplace can be confusing for small firms. HSAs may have expanded access to health insurance for the smallest firms (under three employees), but not for small firms more generally. A sizable number of firms offering HSA-eligible insurance did not offer attached HSAs. Firms offering HSAs were satisfied with their experiences, but faced challenges in implementing them.Health Savings Accounts, Health Insurance Costs, Small Business

Health Savings Accounts for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Shopping, Take-Up and Implementation Challenges

A combination of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) holds promise for expanding health insurance for small firms. We provide information on HSA take-up and shopping behavior from a 2008 survey of female small business owners, revealing that the HSA marketplace can be confusing for small firms. HSAs may have expanded access to health insurance for the smallest firms (under three employees), but not for small firms more generally. A sizable number of firms offering HSA-eligible insurance did not offer attached HSAs. Firms offering HSAs were satisfied with their experiences, but faced challenges in implementing them.Health Savings Accounts, Health Insurance Costs, Small Business

Evaluation of in vitro antifungal activity of potassium bicarbonate on Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 HG-I, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Trichoderma sp.

The effect of increased concentrations of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) as a possible alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 HG-I and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was evaluated in vitro, in this study. In addition, the effect of potassium bicarbonate on Trichoderma sp., a natural antagonist on R. solani AG 4 HG-I and S. sclerotiorum was determined. Potassium bicarbonate substantially inhibited (P<0.05) the growth of the three fungal strains. Mycelial growth of R. solani AG 4 HG-I significantly decreased as the concentration of bicarbonate increased, especially at concentrations greater than 200 mM. Similarly, mycelial growth of both S. sclerotiorum and Trichoderma sp. dramatically reduced in increasing concentrations of KHCO3. Mycelial growth of either fungi was completely inhibited when exposed to 100 mM bicarbonate. In addition, KHCO3 concentrations higher than 10 mM caused significant (P<0.05) reduction of the sclerotium formation of S. sclerotiorum. Also, sclerotium germination and de novo sclerotium formation were significantly inhibited as the concentrations of KHCO3 increased. As a result, it was concluded that potassium bicarbonate was an alternative chemical agent for  controlling R. solani AG 4 HG-I and S. sclerotiorum. Also, KHCO3 was found to have negative effects on Trichoderma sp.Key words: Antifungal effect, KHCO3, soil borne pathogens, sclerotium germination

An Investigation of the Turkish Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Individualized Education Program Development Process

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the attitudes of preservice teachers who study at Turkish universities towards the development process of an individualized education program (IEP). The participants of the study were composed of 304 teachers who were all seniors at the faculties of education in the 2019-2020 academic year. The data were collected through the attitude determination scale (ADS) towards the IEP development process developed by Tike (2007). The scale contained 3 dimensions and 15 items. A Principal Component Analysis revealed a 3-factor structure of 15 items with a 61,39% of the total variance explained. In order to determine the internal consistency a reliability test was implemented and the Cronbach Alpha coefficient for the 3 factors was found as .67. The collected data were analyzed through a statistical analysis program. In order to determine a possible significant difference between the participants’ genders, previous interaction with inclusive students, taking inclusive education classes and their attitudes towards IEP development process, an independent variables t-test was implemented. To determine whether there exists a significant difference according to the participants’ knowledge of the regulations regarding inclusive education a one-way ANOVA was implemented. When a difference was revealed Tukey test was implemented to determine the differentiation and check the difference between the mean scores. At the end of the study, a statistically significant difference was found regarding the participants’ genders, taking inclusive education classes and knowledge of the regulations regarding inclusive education while no statistically significant difference was found according to their previous interaction with inclusive education. Keywords: Individualized education program (IEP), preservice teachers, attitude DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-16-11 Publication date:June 30th 2020