The Use of Oxytocin by Healthcare Professionals During Labor

Background: Oxytocin is widely used in perinatal medicine, but it can cause serious side effects. Health professionals should be familiar with the pharmacokinetics, dosing regimen, and fetal effects of oxytocin. This study aims to explore the use of oxytocin by healthcare professionals during labor. Methods: This study was conducted in one medical faculty, one training and research hospital, one maternity hospital, and one private hospital in Adana, Turkey. The sample group included 107 participants. The data were gathered using a survey prepared in line with the literature. The survey was comprised of 30 questions. These questions concern the social demographic information of the participants, the knowledge and actual oxytocin use, and the views of the participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The average age of the participants was 36.76 ± 8.70 years, the mean of working experience in the delivery room was 7.79 ± 7.73 years. 85.6% of the participants who answered the question of possible effects of oxytocin as contraction, 57.9% of the possible side effects as fetal distress. 69.2% of the participants stated that they applied oxytocin after dilution in a fluid while 47% stated that they applied it after dilution in fluid with 5% Dextrose. While 40% of the participants responded that they sometimes forgot to administer medication, 39.2% stated that they did not register medication in their survey responses. Conclusion: It was determined that most of the participants answered the questions about the effect of oxytocin correctly, but they could not respond to all the side effects of oxytocin. It was found that most of the participants could not answer the storage conditions that are important for the effectiveness of the drug correctly. In addition, the importance level given to the principles of drug administration by the participants was generally found to be high

Acoustic Calibration of the Exterior Effects Room at the NASA Langley Research Center

The Exterior Effects Room (EER) at the NASA Langley Research Center is a 39-seat auditorium built for psychoacoustic studies of aircraft community noise. The original reproduction system employed monaural playback and hence lacked sound localization capability. In an effort to more closely recreate field test conditions, a significant upgrade was undertaken to allow simulation of a three-dimensional audio and visual environment. The 3D audio system consists of 27 mid and high frequency satellite speakers and 4 subwoofers, driven by a real-time audio server running an implementation of Vector Base Amplitude Panning. The audio server is part of a larger simulation system, which controls the audio and visual presentation of recorded and synthesized aircraft flyovers. The focus of this work is on the calibration of the 3D audio system, including gains used in the amplitude panning algorithm, speaker equalization, and absolute gain control. Because the speakers are installed in an irregularly shaped room, the speaker equalization includes time delay and gain compensation due to different mounting distances from the focal point, filtering for color compensation due to different installations (half space, corner, baffled/unbaffled), and cross-over filtering

Receptor-Specific Mechanisms Regulate Phosphorylation of AKT at Ser473: Role of RICTOR in β1 Integrin-Mediated Cell Survival

A tight control over AKT/PKB activation is essential for cells, and they realise this in part by regulating the phosphorylation of Ser473 in the “hydrophobic motif” of the AKT carboxy-terminal region. The RICTOR-mTOR complex (TORC2) is a major kinase for AKT Ser473 phosphorylation after stimulation by several growth factors, in a reaction proposed to require p21-activated kinase (PAK) as a scaffold. However, other kinases may catalyse this reaction in stimuli-specific manners. Here we characterised the requirement of RICTOR, ILK, and PAK for AKT Ser473 phosphorylation downstream of selected family members of integrins, G protein-coupled receptors, and tyrosine-kinase receptors and analysed the importance of this phosphorylation site for adhesion-mediated survival. siRNA-mediated knockdown in HeLa and MCF7 cells showed that RICTOR-mTOR was required for phosphorylation of AKT Ser473, and for efficient phosphorylation of the downstream AKT targets FOXO1 Thr24 and BAD Ser136, in response to β1 integrin-stimulation. ILK and PAK1/2 were dispensable for these reactions. RICTOR knockdown increased the number of apoptotic MCF7 cells on β1 integrin ligands up to 2-fold after 24 h in serum-free conditions. β1 integrin-stimulation induced phosphorylation of both AKT1 and AKT2 but markedly preferred AKT2. RICTOR-mTOR was required also for LPA-induced AKT Ser473 phosphorylation in MCF7 cells, but, interestingly, not in HeLa cells. PAK was needed for the AKT Ser473 phosphorylation in response to LPA and PDGF, but not to EGF. These results demonstrate that different receptors utilise different enzyme complexes to phosphorylate AKT at Ser473, and that AKT Ser473 phosphorylation significantly contributes to β1 integrin-mediated anchorage-dependent survival of cells

FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERCEPTIONS OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS TOWARDS

The purpose of this study was to investigate pre-service teachers biotechnology knowledge and attitudes, the effects of gender and subject area on their biotechnology knowledge and attitudes, as well as how their perceptions about biotechnology are related to pre-service teachers cognitive, affective and behavioural attitudinal dimensions. Data were gathered by administration of two biotechnology knowledge and attitudes questionnaires to a group of 323 pre-service teachers in 3 universities in Turkey. The results of this study indicated that both biology majors and non-majors had poor understanding of biotechnology. In addition, attitude scores of pre-service teachers who took biology courses in teacher education programs were significantly higher than pre-service teachers who were not involved in the biology course. It was found that gender had a significant impact on attitudes towards biotechnology, while subject area did not have effect on attitudes. It was also found that 91% of variance of biotechnology knowledge and attitude scores can be accounted for by the linear combination of affective, cognitive and behavioural attitude dimensions. Implications for teaching science are discussed

Pressure and spin effect on the stability, electronic and mechanic properties of three equiatomic quaternary Heusler (FeVHfZ, Z = Al, Si, and Ge) compounds

In this paper, three equiatomic quaternary Heusler compounds − role= presentation style= box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: normal; font-size: 16.2px; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; position: relative; \u3e− FeVHfZ (Z = Al, Si, and Ge) − role= presentation style= box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: normal; font-size: 16.2px; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; position: relative; \u3e− are investigated for their structural, magnetic, electronic, mechanic, and lattice dynamic properties under pressure effect. These compounds are optimized for under three structural types and three magnetic phases: β role= presentation style= box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: normal; font-size: 16.2px; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; position: relative; \u3eβ is the most stable structure with ferromagnetic phase. The electronic properties reveal that FeVHfAl is a half-metal, and that FeVHfSi and FeVHfGe are spin gapless semiconductors. In addition to electronic band structure, possible hybridization and partial density of states are presented. Furthermore, the mechanical properties are studied, and the three-dimensional direction-dependent mechanical properties are visualized under varying pressure effects. Our results reveal the half-metal and spin gapless semiconductor nature of the ferromagnetic FeVHfZ compounds, making them promising materials for spintronics applications

Effect of predict-observe-explain tasks enhanced multimedia on pre-service teachers' understanding of gases

This paper focuses on the use of multimedia-based predict-observe-explain (POE) tasks to facilitate small group learning conversations. Although the tasks were given to pairs of students as a diagnostic tool to elicit their pre-instructional chemistry conceptions, they also provided a peer learning opportunity for students. The study adopted a social constructivist perspective to analyse and interpret the student's conversations, focussing on students' articulation and justification of their own science conceptions, clarification of and critical reflection on their partners' views, and negotiation of new, shared meanings. Chemistry laboratory is a place that students can learn some chemical concepts and procedures by doing some laboratory activities. But it is known that students don't benefit from chemistry laboratory always adequately. In this study, to create an effective learning environment in chemistry laboratory, what to be done was investigated. The subject of study consisted of 42 students from Science Teacher Education Program in Faculty of Education- University of Pamukkale. In study, an action research approach was used understanding diffusion of gases. The data were obtained from observation, POE form and class discussion. The findings showed that the use of POE instructional activities is useful for enhancing students' learning outcomes in chemistry laboratories. © Sila Science

Effect of predict-observe-explain tasks enhanced multimedia on pre-service teachers' understanding of gases

This paper focuses on the use of multimedia-based predict-observe-explain (POE) tasks to facilitate small group learning conversations. Although the tasks were given to pairs of students as a diagnostic tool to elicit their pre-instructional chemistry conceptions, they also provided a peer learning opportunity for students. The study adopted a social constructivist perspective to analyse and interpret the student's conversations, focussing on students' articulation and justification of their own science conceptions, clarification of and critical reflection on their partners' views, and negotiation of new, shared meanings. Chemistry laboratory is a place that students can learn some chemical concepts and procedures by doing some laboratory activities. But it is known that students don't benefit from chemistry laboratory always adequately. In this study, to create an effective learning environment in chemistry laboratory, what to be done was investigated. The subject of study consisted of 42 students from Science Teacher Education Program in Faculty of Education- University of Pamukkale. In study, an action research approach was used understanding diffusion of gases. The data were obtained from observation, POE form and class discussion. The findings showed that the use of POE instructional activities is useful for enhancing students' learning outcomes in chemistry laboratories. © Sila Science

Primary School Teacher Candidates

The aim of this study is to compare the chemistry learning motivations of the science and primary school teacher candidates. Participants of the study are composed of 98 science teacher candidates (71 female and 27 male) and 62 primary school teacher candidates (44 female and 18 male) studying at the departments of Science and Elementary teaching of the Education Faculty at Pamukkale University in the Spring Semester of the academic year 2012/2013. Totally, 160 Science and primary school teacher candidates studying at the first grade participated in the study. Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire (CMQ) composed of 22 five-point likert type scale questions were applied to the participants. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficiency of the Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire was found to be 0.86. Gathered data was analyzed by using SPSS-15 software program. The results of the study showed meaningful differences between intrinsic motivation levels, personal appropriateness, self-determination and self-ability, extrinsic motivation and sub-dimension motivation levels of science and primary school teacher candidates. Motivations of Science teacher candidates were found to be higher than primary school teacher candidates in terms of these three sub-dimensions of motivation. However, anxiety level of being evaluated wasn't found to be significant. While the results of CMQ based on the item of gender variety did not show significant differences in terms of participants' intrinsic motivation, personal appropriateness, self determination and extrinsic motivation levels, the anxiety level of being evaluated was found to be significant and this difference was in favour of male candidates. (Anxiety level of males was found to be lower than female candidates). According to the gender difference variety, there wasn't found to be significant difference among primary school teacher candidates

Primary School Teacher Candidates

The aim of this study is to compare the chemistry learning motivations of the science and primary school teacher candidates. Participants of the study are composed of 98 science teacher candidates (71 female and 27 male) and 62 primary school teacher candidates (44 female and 18 male) studying at the departments of Science and Elementary teaching of the Education Faculty at Pamukkale University in the Spring Semester of the academic year 2012/2013. Totally, 160 Science and primary school teacher candidates studying at the first grade participated in the study. Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire (CMQ) composed of 22 five-point likert type scale questions were applied to the participants. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficiency of the Chemistry Motivation Questionnaire was found to be 0.86. Gathered data was analyzed by using SPSS-15 software program. The results of the study showed meaningful differences between intrinsic motivation levels, personal appropriateness, self-determination and self-ability, extrinsic motivation and sub-dimension motivation levels of science and primary school teacher candidates. Motivations of Science teacher candidates were found to be higher than primary school teacher candidates in terms of these three sub-dimensions of motivation. However, anxiety level of being evaluated wasn't found to be significant. While the results of CMQ based on the item of gender variety did not show significant differences in terms of participants' intrinsic motivation, personal appropriateness, self determination and extrinsic motivation levels, the anxiety level of being evaluated was found to be significant and this difference was in favour of male candidates. (Anxiety level of males was found to be lower than female candidates). According to the gender difference variety, there wasn't found to be significant difference among primary school teacher candidates