Trends in Turkish Science Education

The aim of the study is to determine the trends in Turkish Science Education on the basis of both master and doctoral theses involved. The researchers reviewed the online databases of the Higher Education Council and Proquest as well as the web page of graduate school of each university in Turkey which presents thesis archieve and investigated 444 graduate theses abstracts/fulltexts in regard to their created matrix (Year, Research Interest, Research Methodology and Sample). The document analysis has pointed out that in terms of research interest two general trends are apparent in Turkish science education research: (1) introducing science education between 1990 and 2000 (2) keeping up with new perspectives in the line of international trends. Also, in view of research methodology although interpretive research methodology has also been preffered since 1997, descriptive research design has still dominated in this context. Some suggestions were made for future research

Effect of pre-harvest organic cytokinin application on the post-harvest physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum l.)

Peppers are cultivated in almost all provinces in Turkey, making up approximately 7% of the world’s production. In this study, the effects of pre-harvest cytokinin application on the postharvest physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits (cv. Akra and Melek F1) grown in ecological conditions in Turkey (Van, eastern Turkey) were investigated. During the growing period, organic cytokinin(nytrozine) at two concentrations (50 and 100 ppm doses) was applied by spraying. Peppers were harvested in green maturity and then stored at 12 °C for 28 days. Changes in color, respiration rate, exogenous ethylene amount, antioxidative enzyme analysis (SOD, CAT and APX), lipid peroxidation, total phenolic content (TP) and antioxidant activity (AA) were determined just after the harvest and then at the 7th, 14th, 24th and 28th days. L* values for both varieties and the control sample had fluctuations during storage, and they slightly decreased after 28 days, except for the end value of cv. Melek F1 with a 50 ppm addition. In terms of respiration rate values, the difference between applications was found to be statistically significant, except for the 14th and 24th days of storage, for cv. Akra F1; and the 0th and 28th days for cv. Melek F1, respectively. It was observed that cytokinin can delay aging in peppers of both cultivars stored for 28 days. As a result, as the used cytokinin has an organic origin, is not synthetic and does not have a negative effect on human health, it can be used safely and without a significant loss of quality characteristics for peppers. These applications have positive effects on in-package gas composition, antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2021/008]IGA/FT/2021/00

Sprejet izziv: izkušnje turških akademikov med poučevanjem na daljavo v izrednih razmerah

The Covid-19 pandemic caught everyone unprepared. Higher education institutions were expected to be the least affected due to their long history of distance education, which has enabled the development of expertise and technical infrastructure, but were they? The present study focuses on faculty members’ experiences at the time of emergency remote teaching and afterwards. The survey method was devised to conduct the study. An online questionnaire called the Emergency Remote Teaching Views Questionnaire was developed by the researchers and administered at higher education institutions throughout Turkey. With a combination of convenience and snowball sampling, 351 faculty members from 72 different public and private higher education institutions were reached. The descriptive analysis of the data revealed that almost 62% of the faculty members had never taken any form of training regarding online distance education before the Covid-19 pandemic. Although one fifth of the faculty members indicated that they had had distance education experience three times or more before the pandemic, around 62% of them encountered remote teaching for the first time. Many faculty members indicated that they spent more time on remote teaching than face-to-face teaching; they had trouble following students’ development; the students were disinterested in the classes; they had technical problems, but they also received support from their institutions. Although only one fourth of the faculty members reported being unsure about the quality of their remote teaching, three fourths of them believed that it was not as fruitful as face-to-face teaching. This was especially evident in the area of assessment and evaluation. Based on these results, it can be concluded that higher education institutions were caught unprepared, but their adaptation was very quick. (DIPF/Orig.

EXAMINING CHEMISTRY TECAHRS’ REFLECTIVE JOURNALS DURING MENTORING PRACTİCES

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of mentorship program on professional development of the mentees. This study is guided by case study. The case, in this study, is each of four chemistry teachers who took part in mentorship program as mentees in order to better understand the mentorship program. The data collection tool employed in this study is the reflective journals kept by the mentees throughout the mentorship practice (for eight weeks). Participants filled out reflective journals for evaluation after they completed the lessons (material, lesson plan, etc.) they prepared in the group mentoring sessions held every week. These forms have five questions that might lead mentees to reflect on their implementation of the plans and their professional development in the course of the mentorship program. The data obtained suggest that the mentees had qualified reflections on their current practices as well as future practices. The mentors frequently noted in their weekly reflective journals form that the mentorship program has a positive impact on their teaching methods competencies while implementing the co-designed lessons plans. On the other hand, the most important problem that the mentees uttered is the need for extra time as they could not complete the activities within the planned time frame. In light of the findings, it can be deduced that the mentorship program has improved the professional practices of the mentees

Cavum septum pellucidum nomogram during the second trimester of pregnancy

This study aimed to determine cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) nomogram values between 15–28 weeks of gestation. Routine biometric measurements and CSP width were measured by transabdominal ultrasonography in 6042 structurally normal foetuses between 15–28 weeks of gestation. Distribution of CSP width by the week of pregnancy and percentile values were calculated. The mean week of gestation (GW) was 21 ± 1.7, and the mean biparietal diameter (BPD) was 50.2 ± 5.8 mm. The CSP width range was 1.6–7.7 mm at 15–28 weeks, and the mean CSP width was 4.1 ± 0.8 mm. CSP width was found to have a significant correlation between a gestational week (CSP = GW X 0.2705–1.6121; R = 0.62; p < .01) and BPD (CSP = BPD X 0.0859–0.273; R = 0.651; p 0.01). CSP width was found to differ significantly according to gestational weeks, and percentile distributions were calculated. Between 15 and 28 weeks of gestation, the 95th percentile values of CSP width were found to be 3.7–7 mm. Our study was determined that CSP width increased linearly between 15–28 weeks of gestation. For this reason, we think that it would be more appropriate to use CSP width percentile values in the examination of the foetus. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The cavum septum pellucidum can be easily identified and evaluated by ultrasonography after 18 weeks of pregnancy. CSP can be associated with severe brain anomalies if it is not visualised or deformed. Moreover; large CSP may be associated with chromosomal abnormalities. What do the results of this study add? Our study showed that CSP width increased linearly between 15–28 weeks of gestation. CSP width was found to differ significantly according to gestational weeks, and between 15 and 28 weeks of gestation, the 95th percentile values of CSP width were found to be 3.7–7 mm. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We reported that it would be more appropriate to use CSP percentile values according to the gestational week in the definition of abnormal CSP

SICKLE CELL DISEASE DIAGNOSED FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING PREGNANCY

Sickle cell anemia is a chronic congenital hemolytic anemia which courses with high feto-maternal morbidity and mortality, characterized with painful crises increasing in the third trimester

The Association Between Follicular Fluid Sialic Acid Levels, Oocyte Quality, and Pregnancy Rates

Sialic acid residues perform important roles in both physiological and pathologic processes. Our aim was to measure the levels of sialic acid in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to assess correlations between IVF parameters and sialic acid levels. All women meeting the inclusion criteria underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment and during oocyte retrieval, follicular fluids of mature follicles were collected and pooled for each patient. Correlation analysis was made between sialic acid levels and oocyte quality. Eighty-seven patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. In terms of oocyte quality and sialic acid, follicular fluid total sialic acid (FF-TSA) levels positively correlated with germinal vesicle oocytes and metaphase I oocytes. In terms of clinical parameters, no correlation between sialic acid levels and body mass index, serum levels of hormones, duration of infertility, and the total dose of gonadotropins was observed. The mean FF-TSA was 86.1 +/- 35.19 mg/dl in the clinical pregnancy positive group and was 73.64 +/- 22.15 mg/dl in the clinical pregnancy negative group. FF-TSA levels positively correlated with immature oocytes. This can be either as part of the normal oocyte maturation or as a compensatory mechanism against reactive oxygen species during the oocyte maturation process

Real time PCR detection of Piscirickettsia salmonis from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the causative agent of piscirickettsiosis, a transmissible disease of salmonid fish. Diagnosis of piscirickettsiosis has traditionally been based upon identification of typical pathological changes by histological investigation, with confirmation by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. However, implementation of more rapid confirmatory techniques, preferably with higher levels of sensitivity and possibilities for quantification, is desirable. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed for specific detection of P. salmonis and tested on samples extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. Construction of a PCR-target mimic allowed determination of detection limits, linearity of the real-time PCR and quantitative detection of P. salmonis. The present study demonstrates the capability of the described real time PCR assay for detection of P. salmonis from paraffin-embedded material with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Implementation of this assay constitutes an important development for a rapid and secure diagnosis of piscirickettsiosis