MS

thesisNursing service administrators strive to provide quality patient care through retention of competent, motivated nurses. Nurse job satisfaction is essential to retention and critical in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Although there are many variables contributing to nurse job satisfaction, this study examined ICU staff nurse job satisfaction in relationship to performance appraisal systems, frequency of feedback and certain demographic characteristics. ICU staff nurses from three private hospitals responded to the study by completing a Personal Satisfaction Inventory instrument, a question on frequency of feedback and demographic questionnaire. An expert panel, instructed in motivational theory, examined the three hospitals' job descriptions/performance evaluation instruments for congruence and motivational design. Consensus of the panel was numerically translated on a Likert scale to allow statistical analysis with job satisfaction scores. Frequency of feed back and marital status achieved significant correlations with job satisfaction. No significant relationship was found with congruence/design of performance appraisal systems

Adapting Sources of Middle School Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale to Turkish Culture

The purpose of this study was to adapt the Sources of Middle School Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale developed by Usher and Pajares to Turkish culture. This scale assesses Bandura’s theorized sources of self-efficacy among mathematics students in middle school. After the Turkish version of the scale was formed, it was applied 6th, 7th and 8th grades 282 middle school students (157 girls and 125 boys). Results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed good fit indeces; χ2/sd= 2.25, RMSEA= .06, CFI= .98, NNFI= .97 and SRMR= .05. These values indicated that the proposed four factor model was acceptable for this Turkish sampling. The reliability coefficient estimated by Cronbach alpha was found; mastery experience α= .86, vicarious experience α= .75, social persuasions α= .94, physiological state α= .91. Also the reliability coefficient estimated by split-half was found; mastery experience α= .81, vicarious experience α= .73, social persuasions α= .92, physiological state α= .89. Deciding on stability of the scale test-retest applied to 36 studens for 16 days interval. Results showed that mastery experience r= .67, vicarious experience r= .48, social persuasions r= .63, physiological state r= .41. These values indicated that this scale is a reliable instrument for Turkish sampling. In conlusion, Sources of Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale is a valid and reliable instrument to meeasure sources of mathematics self-efficacy for middle school students in Turkish culture

The Effects of Salt Marsh Restoration on the Hydrology of Salt Marsh Channels

Salt marshes produce many ecosystem services, from water purification to protection from hurricanes. Despite their benefits, salt marshes have been impacted negatively by human activities. There are many salt marsh restoration projects that intend to bring back all ecological functions and services. Quantifiable measurements are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of such restoration efforts. Earlier work by Reagan Thomas demonstrated what happens to the hydrology of salt marsh channels when they are adjacent to restored salt marshes. This study builds on Thomas’ work and uses the sinuosity of channels as a quantitative, representative metric of salt marsh hydrology restoration effectiveness. The data were collected through analysis of GIS images and Google Earth and calculating the sinuosity of restored versus reference marsh channels, following methods advanced by Thomas. This study found no statistical difference of sinuosity between channels in restoration marshes versus reference marshes, which is a favorable outcome because the goal of the restoration projects was to make the restored channels similar to natural channels. Future sinuosity research projects could include a larger number of restored and reference marsh channel sources, or they could measure channels of a different kind of habitat

Effects of treated wastewater irrigation on the establishment of young grapevines

Irrigation with treated wastewater could produce excessive accumulations within the plant and soil, negatively affecting the yield and production quality. In addition, the presence of biological and chemical contaminants could harm the agricultural environment, as well as the health of farmers and consumers. During this work, the suitability of secondary and tertiary treated wastewater for use in young grapevines was evaluated by studying the effect of the wastewater irrigation on the soil-plant system, crop yield, fruit quality and the presence of inorganic chemical contamination (salts, elements and heavy metals), organic chemical contamination (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and microbial contamination (E. coli, total coliforms). The results show that tertiary treated wastewater had positive impact on plant growth and yield while secondary treated wastewater had negative impact on fruit safety in comparison with tap water. Sodium levels in soils irrigated with treated wastewater increased at the end of the irrigation period while decreased during the wet season. The total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in the soils ranged from 363 μg/kg to 374 μg/kg at the end of the experiment for all irrigation treatments applied. The use of tertiary treated wastewater was recommended for the irrigation of young grapevines as an alternative water source secured protection of environment, plant health and fruit quality

A case study of trace metals in suspended particulate matter and biota before wastewater treatment plant from the Izmir Bay, Turkey

The concentrations of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, and Fe) from suspended particulate matter (SPM) and biota in Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean Sea) were studied in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the anthropogenic metals before building of Wastewater Treatment Plant. SPM samples were collected in wet and dry periods from Izmir Bay. Metal concentrations in SPM (Cu, 0.36-2.19; Mn, 0.07-11.3; Ni, 0.43-7.81; Zn, 7.33-269; Fe, 1.00-266 mu gdm (-aEuro parts per thousand 3)) were comparable to those reported for other moderately polluted bays. Maximum metal concentrations in SPM were observed during summer season. SPM metal concentrations displayed a clear spatial trend with values increasing with proximity to urban centers. Cu and Zn concentrations in SPM were especially high in the inner bay. SPM were found to be contaminated by Zn. The vertical profile of Mn, Zn, and Ni concentrations in SPM had a maximal value at the upper layer and decreased to minimal value at the bottom layer of the inner bay in summer, in contrast to the observed pattern of Fe and Cu. Maximum Cu concentrations were obtained in Penaeus kerathurus. Also, maximum Zn and Fe concentrations were found in Mytilus galloprovincialis. Relatively high Cu levels were found in Sardina pilcardus and Mullus barbatus than other fish species. Besides, Cu levels were lower in Diplodus annularis and Merluccius merluccius. Finally, metal levels in biota tissues were lower than the limits of European Dietary Standards and Guidelines

Trace metals (Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Fe) contamination in marine sediment and zooplankton samples from Izmir Bay. (Aegean sea, Turkey)

Metal (Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Fe) concentrations in marine sediment and zooplankton were investigated in Izmir Bay of the Eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey. The study aimed to assess the levels of metal in different environmental compartments of the Izmir Bay. Metal concentrations in the sediment (dry weight) ranged between 4.26-70.8 mu g g(-1) for Cu, 233-923 mu g g(-1) for Mn, 14.9-127 mu g g(-1) for Ni, 25.6-295 mu g g(-1) for Zn, 12,404-76,899 mu g g(-1) for Fe and 38,226-91,532 mu g g(-1) for Al in the Izmir Bay. Maximum metal concentrations in zooplankton were observed during summer season in the inner bay. Significant relationships existed between the concentrations of certain metals (Al, Fe, Mn and Ni) in sediment, suggesting similar sources and/or similar geochemical processes controlling such metals. Higher concentrations of Cu, Zn and percent organic matter contents were found in the middle-inner bays sediments. Based on the correlation matrix obtained for metal data, organic matter was found to be the dominant factor controlling Cu and Zn distributions in the sediment. In general, mean Cu and Zn levels in the bay were above background concentrations in Mediterranean sediments. Zooplankton metal concentrations were similar to sediment distributions

Mercury in the Izmir Bay: An assessment of contamination

The levels of mercury in suspended particulate matter, sediment, plankton and fish were investigated in Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean). The study aimed to assess the level of mercury in different environmental compartments of the Izmir Bay. Seasonal (dry and wet season) and spatial variations in suspended particulate Hg concentrations showed that pluvial transport is the major pathway to the bay. Suspended particulate matter was the main vehicle for carrying mercury from land based sources to the bay. Gediz River and inactive mining sites (Karaburun) were the most important inputs of mercury to the outer bay. Hg concentrations ranged from 0.70 to 28.7 nmol g(-1) (dry weight) in suspended particulate, from 0.60 to 3.19 nmol g(-1) (dry weight) in plankton, from 0.20 to 3.14 nmol g(-1) (dry weight) in sediment and from 0.05 to 4.54 nmol g(-1) (wet weight) in organisms. Plankton, sediment Hg concentrations and its organic matter contents increased from outer bay to middle-inner bays. Based on the correlation matrix obtained for mercury data, organic matter was the dominant factor controlling Hg distribution in the sediment. There was a correlation between fish length and Hg (muscle tissue) concentrations in Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius. In the other species these were not related to fish length. The maximum permissible mercury limit accepted by WHO for edible parts of marine organisms is 3.5 nmol g(-1) (wet weight); our results indicated that Merlangius merlangus and Pagellus erythrinus exceed this limit. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V

Burn scar sarcoma

Malignancies developing in burn scars have been known for a long time and are generally epidermoid carcinomas although a few sarcoma cases have been reported. A case of fibrosarcoma developing in the burn scar was presented in this report and the literature reviewed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved