THE USERS’ VIEWS ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS PROVIDED IN VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGIES

Today, it is seen that developing technologies are tried to be used continuously in the learning environments. These technologies have rapidly been diversifying and changing. Recently, virtual reality technology has become one of the technologies that experts have often been dwelling on. The present research tries to determine users’ opinions and preferences on the utilization of different kinds of multimedia items (pictures, videos and games) in virtual reality goggles. In this context, participants' opinions were taken through semi-structured interview forms within this research, which is designed as a case study. The data were subjected to content analysis. It is observed that participants liked and preferred virtual reality technologies. The features of the sense of reality, feeling the ambience and providing the possibility of having a tour in this ambience presented by the technologies can be listed as determinants in participants’ preferences. In addition to this, it can be said that especially the game type contents of the virtual reality technologies are preferred more than the photos and videos. It is thought that interaction and entertainment factors have a significant role in suck kind of preferences. Moreover the participants have also indicated that the use of virtual reality technologies, especially in social studies classes, may be beneficial. Besides, it is thought that virtual reality technologies can be more useful than in-class methods in the sciences and other fields and the VR technologies will increase permanence by creating active learning environments.  Article visualizations

Analysis of Use of Virtual Reality Technologies in History Education: A Case Study

Today, many innovations have been experienced in technology. These innovations progressively take their places in education environments. Virtual reality environments are among activity areas that have been frequently discussed and used in education environments in the recent years. In this context, this study aimed to determine general opinions of undergraduate students who were included to study scope about virtual reality technologies, and privately, to determine the students’ opinions about use of virtual reality glasses in history education and to determine their suggestions in this subject. Case study method was preferred in this study. Sampling was created as selecting 25 undergraduate students according to the study purpose. Data was collected with interview technic and analyzed with content analysis method. According to study results, it was concluded that virtual reality implementations were liked by participants. Additionally, participants stated that use of the current technology in course activities would be beneficial. It was thought that especially the feelings of reality and being present in the location, which were caused by virtual reality implementations, were among the factors that affected participants and increased their interest in the course. Moreover, virtual reality implementations were thought to be technologies that could enable the individuals, especially those with disabilities or had different inadequacies (i.e. financial, time etc.), to actively involve in learning processes. Similarly, virtual reality technology was thought to contribute, at least partially, equal opportunities concept in education

Estimation and Classification of Physical Parameters Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo L.) Crop S by Soft Computing Tecniques

Determining the seed type is very important for the correct indentification of genetic material. Some plant seeds can not be classified based on their visual diversity or small size by experts. Therefore, in this study was to develop a simple, accurate and rapid using different soft computing tecniques that estimates physical parameters for pumpkin seeds. The current investigation was devoted to determining some properties, such as physical dimensions, surface area, sphericity, density, rupture energy of pumpkin seeds. The methods using in this study are; (1) Multilayer perceptron (MLP); (2) Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS). Different statistic parameters such as coffecient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) are used to evaluate performance of the methods. These selected the best models predicted for plant seeds which can be used in the soft computing tecniques determined alternative approach to estimating the physical properties of estimation and clasification pumpkin seeds

Correlation between the serum and tissue levels of oxidative stress markers and the extent of inflammation in acute appendicitis

OBJECTIVES: To determine the serum and tissue levels of markers of impaired oxidative metabolism and correlate these levels with the histopathology and Alvarado score of acute appendicitis patients. METHOD: Sixty-five acute appendicitis patients (mean age, 31.4±12.06 years; male/female, 30/35) and 30 healthy control subjects were studied. The Alvarado score was recorded. Serum samples were obtained before surgery and 12 hours postoperatively to examine the total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, paraoxonase, stimulated paraoxonase, arylesterase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, ceruloplasmin, oxidative stress markers (advanced oxidized protein products and total thiol level) and ischemia-modified albumin. Surgical specimens were also evaluated. RESULTS: The diagnoses were acute appendicitis (n = 37), perforated appendicitis (n = 8), phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 12), perforated+phlegmonous appendicitis (n = 4), or no appendicitis (n = 4). The Alvarado score of the acute appendicitis group was significantly lower than that of the perforated+phlegmonous appendicitis group (p = 0.004). The serum total antioxidant status, total thiol level, advanced oxidized protein products, total oxidant status, catalase, arylesterase, and ischemia-modified albumin levels were significantly different between the acute appendicitis and control groups. There was no correlation between the pathological extent of acute appendicitis and the tissue levels of the markers; additionally, there was no correlation between the tissue and serum levels of any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant systems plays a role in the pathogenesis acute appendicitis. The Alvarado score can successfully predict the presence and extent of acute appendicitis

Plant Root Enhancement by Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

Soil microorganisms perform a variety of functions, some of which are extremely helpful to the maintenance of ecological sustainability. Bacteria thriving in the plant rhizosphere drive plant development through a variety of ways, which are referred to as PGPRs (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria). Despite the fact that there are many different types of PGPRs, their significance and applications in sustainable agriculture are still debated and limited. The performance of PGPRs vary, which might be related to a variety of environmental conditions that impact their development and proliferation in plants. PGPR is a nonpathogenic, friendly bacterium that stimulates plant development by altering hormone concentrations and nutritional needs, as well as mitigating stress-related damage. PGPRs colonize root hairs and lateral roots in plants, where they may exhibit their beneficial characteristics. Rhizobacteria that promote plant development have the ability to control root system architecture (RSA), as well as the vegetative growth and physiology of the entire plant. The generation of hormones like Indole acetic acid (IAA) by PGPR has long been linked to RSA effects. This book chapter reviews the effects of PGPRs on the growth, the physiological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics of plant roots as well as the mechanisms involved

EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

The influence of music on anxiety and the side effects of chemotherapy [Müzigin, kemoterapi yan etkilerine ve kaygi düzeyine etkisi]

Objective: This purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of music on anxiety level and the side effects on the acute patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: The research data is obtained by using Patient Identification Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Cancer Symptoms Inventory and Chemotherapy Side Effect Inventory on both sample (N=30) and control (N=30) groups. While, the cancer patients in the sample group had undergone the alternative therapy for three times, the control group was excluded. For the assessment of the research data, chi-square, ANOVA and correlation analysis were carried out. Result: The findings indicated that, music has a meaningful relation with respect to anxiety states of the sample group (p>0.05), and had no such a relation for the side effects of chemotherapy (p<0.001). Conclusion: The investigation showed that, the clinical use of music as an alternative therapy has positive results in the reduction of anxiety in the patients and it is recommended to include the music therapy to regular nursing practices

Learners’ views about cloud computing-based group activities

Thanks to its use independently of time and place during the process of software development and by making it easier to access to information with mobile technologies, cloud based environments attracted the attention of education world and this technology started to be used in various activities. In this study, for programming education, the effects of extracurricular group assignments in cloud based environments on learners were evaluated in terms of group work satisfaction, ease of use and user satisfaction. Within the scope of computer programming education lasting eight weeks, a total of 100 students participated in the study including 34 men and 66 women. Participants were divided into groups of at least three people considering the advantages of cooperative learning in programming education. In this study carried out in both conventional and cloud based environments, between groups factorial design was used as research design. The data collected by questionnaires of opinions of group work were examined with quantitative analysis method. According to the study results extracurricular learning activities as group activity created satisfaction. However, perceptions of easy use of the environment and user satisfaction were partly positive. Despite the similar understandings; male participants were easier to perceive use of cloud computing based environments. Some variables such as class level, satisfaction, computer and internet usage time do not have any effect on satisfaction and perceptions of ease of use. Evening class students stated that they found it easy to use cloud based learning environments and became more satisfied with using these environments besides being happier with group work than daytime students

Effects of self-healing on the microstructure, transport, and electrical properties of 100% construction- and demolition-waste-based geopolymer composites

This study aims to investigate the self-healing capability of engineered geopolymer composites (EGCs) produced with 100% construction and demolition waste (CDW)-based materials. In order to determine the effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag (S) addition on CDW-based mixtures, additional geopolymer mixtures were produced with slag substitution without changing the Si/Al ratio. NaOH is the primary activator; however, Na2SiO3 and Ca(OH)2 are also investigated as additional activators. Half of the specimens were preloaded to crack them, and all specimens were exposed to wetting and drying cycles. At different wetting and drying cycles, electrical impedance and water absorption rates were determined to assess self-healing; additionally, optical images were captured. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy investigations were carried out to characterize the self-healing products. The test results show that the chemical structure of the CDW-based geopolymeric composite provides self-healing capability, which essentially originates from its calcium and sodium content sourced from raw material and activator. Based on microstructural test results, CDW-based geopolymer composites are healed with CaCO3 formations, and slag incorporation makes self-healing reactions steadier. However, when NaOH exists with Ca(OH)2 and Na2SiO3, a higher early geopolymerization process consumes the ions that participate in the autogenous self-healing process. Na2CO3 is recognized as an early healing product; however, some Na2CO3 is dissolved during the progressive wetting period. At the end of the healing period, CaCO3 is detected as a major healing agent. Additionally, continuing geopolymerization has been identified in the healed cracks. Within this context, the results confirm that the self-healing behavior of EGC is similar to Portland cement-based cementitious composites

Development of alkali-activated binders from recycled mixed masonry-originated waste

WOS:000599645300009In this study, the main emphasis is placed on the development and characterization of alkali-activated binders completely produced by the use of mixed construction and demolition waste (CDW)-based masonry units as aluminosilicate precursors. Combined usage of precursors was aimed to better simulate the real-life cases since in the incident of construction and demolition, these wastes are anticipated to be generated collectively. As different masonry units, red clay brick (RCB), hollow brick (HB) and roof tile (RT) were used in binary combinations by 75-25%, 50-50% and 25-75% of the total weight of the binder. Mixtures were produced with different curing temperature/periods and molarities of NaOH solution as the alkaline activator. Characterization was made by the compressive strength measurements supported by microstructural investigations which included the analyses of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Results clearly showed that completely CDW-based masonry units can be effectively used collectively in producing alkali-activated binders having up to 80 MPa compressive strength provided that the mixture design parameters are optimized. Among different precursors utilized, HB seems to contribute more to the compressive strength. Irrespective of their composition, main reaction products of alkali-activated binders from CDW-based masonry units are sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) gels containing different zeolitic polytypes with structure ranging from amorphous to polycrystalline.British CouncilThe British Council in India [117M447, 218M102]; Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK) of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK)The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK) of Turkey and British Council provided under projects: 117M447 and 218M102