Adaptation of the Attitude toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory (ASCI) into Turkish

Developing an attitude influential in individuals’ behaviours and related with academic achievement is a concept whose development science educators consider important. This research aims to adapt the 8-item Attitude toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory (ASCI) - which was developed by Bauer (2008) and revised by Xu and Lewis (2011) - into Turkish, and to perform the validity and reliability analyses of the Turkish form of the inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the validity of the inventory, and Cronbach Alpha (α) coefficient as well as McDonald’s Omega (ω) coefficient were calculated for reliability. It was found following the confirmatory factor analysis that acceptable fit indices belonged to the model measuring two correlated different structures. It was also found in consequence of the confirmatory factor analysis that the t values were significant at the level of 0.01. Accordingly, factor loads were in the 0.31-0.84 range. Fit indices for correlated two-factor model were regarded to meet the goodness of fit criteria. Cronbach α coefficient was found to be 0.713 for the cognitive dimension where four items were included; and to be 0.731 for the affective dimension. McDonald’s ω coefficient recommended for congeneric measurements was calculated as 0.74 for the cognitive dimension, and 0.75 for the affective dimension

THE REASONS FOR THE MISCONCEPTIONS ACCORDING TO CHEMISTRY PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

Bu çalışmada, öğrencilerin sahip oldukları kavram yanılgılarının nedenlerini belirlemek amacıyla öğretmen adaylarının görüşleri alınmıştır. Çalışmada veriler uzman görüşüne başvurularak hazırlanmış olan görüşme formu ve açık uçlu sorularla toplanılmıştır. Çalışmada elde edilen veriler NVivo nitel veri analiz programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada kavram yanılgılarının nedenleri belirlenmeye çalışıldığından nitel araştırma desenlerinden araştırmanın doğasına uygun olan olgubilim (phenomenology) deseni kullanılmıştır. Öğrencilerin kavram yanılgılarının nedenlerinin tespit edilmesinde kodlama stratejisi tümevarımsal bir süreç izlenerek yapılmıştır. Çalışmada elde edilen sonuçlara göre kimya öğretmen adayları kavram yanılgılarının nedenleri arasında öğrencilerin kendileri, öğretmenler, öğrenme/çalışma ortamları ve aile, medya ve arkadaş faktörlerini göstermişlerdir In the present study, the views of pre-service teachers were obtained in order to determine the reasons for the misconceptions students hold. Data was collected via an interview form and open-ended questions which were prepared in accordance with the views of experts in the field. The obtained data of the study were analyzed via the NVivo qualitative analysis program. Phenomenology pattern, which is one of the appropriate qualitative research patterns, was used in this study since the aim was to determine the reasons behind student misconceptions. Coding theory was conducted within an inductive process for the determination of misconception reasons. According to the results of the study, pre-service chemistry teachers stated that the reasons behind misconceptions were factors such as students, teachers, learning/studying environments, family, media and friends

Evaluation of Added Sugar and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption by University Students

Today, increased intake of sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages is seen today as an important factor in the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, obesity-related diabetes, and coronary heart diseases. This study involved 214 university students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of Ankara University, Faculty of Health Science, which was intended to evaluate the consumption of sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages. The frequency of student consumption of beverages and the quantities and amounts of sugar taken with beverages were questioned. The average total amount of sugar added to drinks by the students was 4.69 ± 6.35 gram, while the average total amount of sugar taken with sugar-sweetened beverages was 11.34 ± 15.32 gram. Female students relative to male students, students in grade 4 compared to grades 2 and 3, and students who had daily breakfast compared to those who did not had lower average sugar consumption (p-value 0.05). It is important to educate university students about the reduction in sugar intake and sugar-containing food in order to avoid many chronic diseases that may be seen in older ages

Investigating the effects of neuromobilization in lateral epicondylitis

Study Design: Randomized controlled study. Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) causes pain and loss of function in the affected limb. Different exercises have been used for the treatment of LE. In recent years, the technique of neuromobilization has been frequently used to treat tendinopathy. However, there is no study that demonstrates the effects of neuromobilization techniques on patients with LE. Purpose of the Study: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of neuromobilization techniques on pain, grip strength, and functional status in LE patients and to compare them with conservative rehabilitation treatment. Methods: A total of 40 patients (26 females and 14 males; age: 42.80 ± 8.91 years) with a history of LE participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the neuromobilization group and the control group. The neuromobilization group completed a 6-week conservative rehabilitation and radial nerve mobilization program, whereas the control group received conservative rehabilitation therapy only. Both groups underwent a 7-day weekly conservative home rehabilitation program. Pain severity, grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and upper extremity functional level were assessed before treatment, at the third week after treatment, and at the sixth week after treatment. Results: There was a significant decrease in all pain scores in favor of the neuromobilization group at week 6 after treatment (at rest: P = .001, effect size (ES) = 0.84; at night: P = .001, ES = 0.91 and during activity: P = .004, ES = 1.06). No significant differences were found for grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and functional level in the neuromobilization group, although trends toward better improvement were observed. Conclusions: Radial nerve mobilization techniques are more effective on pain than conservative rehabilitation therapy in LE patients, and this effect continues after treatment. © 2020 Hanley & Belfu

Protein Patterns and Plasmid Profiles of the Bacterial Strains Isolated from a Poultry Slaughterhouse in Ankara, Turkey

A total of 65 identified isolates of coliform bacteria Salmonella, including Campylobacter and Staphylococcus isolated from different control points of a poultry slaughterhouse in Ankara, Turkey were characterized by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests including API 10 S system, and by plasmid profiles on agarose gel electrophoresis and whole-cell protein patterns on SDS-PAGE. Plasmids were detected in 53.8 % of the isolates. The molecular mass of the plasmids was within the range from 0.66 to 12.66 mDa. Electrophoretic banding patterns showed that whole cell protein profiles differed in several protein bands in Salmonella, Campylobacter and Staphylococcus species, but the differences were insufficient for reliable differentiation of bacteria species by SDS-PAGE method

Protein Patterns and Plasmid Profiles of the Bacterial Strains Isolated from a Poultry Slaughterhouse in Ankara, Turkey

A total of 65 identified isolates of coliform bacteria Salmonella, including Campylobacter and Staphylococcus isolated from different control points of a poultry slaughterhouse in Ankara, Turkey were characterized by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests including API 10 S system, and by plasmid profiles on agarose gel electrophoresis and whole-cell protein patterns on SDS-PAGE. Plasmids were detected in 53.8 % of the isolates. The molecular mass of the plasmids was within the range from 0.66 to 12.66 mDa. Electrophoretic banding patterns showed that whole cell protein profiles differed in several protein bands in Salmonella, Campylobacter and Staphylococcus species, but the differences were insufficient for reliable differentiation of bacteria species by SDS-PAGE method

Use of high-density paste bacfill for safe disposal of copper/zinc mine tailings

The safe environmental disposal of sulphide-rich copper/zinc mine tailings is fast becoming a major economic factor in determining the profitability of mining operations. There have been new approaches and better technologies practised in the recent years which allow the mining industries to reduce and/or eliminate the environmental impacts of harmful mine tailings. One of these approaches is the use of high-density paste backfill (HDPB) which is consisting mainly of a mix of solid particles (with the cement) and water, containing between 70% and 85% by dry weight of solids. The increased use of HDPB has improved the reliability, and has reduced the cost of the preparation and transportation systems. This paper focuses on the potential environmental benefits of using the HDPB when tailings are acid generating, and also provides a case study conducted in an underground copper/zinc mine in northeast Turkey in order to illustrate these benefits

UNERTAN SYNDROME: A CASE SERIES DEMONSTRTAING HUMAN DEVOLUTION

A large family with six individuals exhibiting the Unertan syndrome (UTS) was identified residing in southern Turkey. All of the individuals had mental impairments and walked on all four extremities. The intra-familial marriages suggested that the UTS is an autosomal recessive disorder. The inferior portions of the cerebellum and vermis were absent as evidenced by MRI and CT scans. The height and head circumference of those affected were within normal ranges. Barany’s test suggested normal vestibular system function. The subjects could not name objects or their close relatives. The males (n = 4) could understand simple questions, answering them with only one or two sounds. The females (n = 2) were superior to the males with respect to language skills and walking, suggesting an association between walking and speaking abilities. One male exhibited three walking patterns at the same time: quadripedal, tiptoe, and scissor walking. Another male used two walking styles: quadripedal and toe-walking. It is emphasized that there are important differences between the UTS and the disequilibrium syndrome (DES). It is suggested that the inability to walk upright in those affected with the UTS may be best explained by a disturbance in lateral-balance mechanisms. An interruption of locomotor development during the transition from quadripedality to bipedality may result in habitual walking on all four extremities and is normal in some children. Since quadripedal gait is an ancestral trait, individuals with the UTS, exhibiting a manifestation of reverse evolution in humans, may be considered an experiment of nature, useful in understanding the mechanisms underlying the transition from quadripedality to bipedality during human evolution. The proposed mutant gene or gene pool playing a role in human quadrupedality may also be responsible for human bipedality at the same time. Herein there is no intent to insult or injure, rather this report is an endeavor to better understand human beings

Utjecaj intenziteta prorjeda na rast azijske bukve (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) u plantažama u Trabzonu na sjeveroistoku Turske

In this study, the effects of first thinnings having different intensities in oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) plantation areas were investigated in terms of diameter and height growth of trees. Sample plots were chosen from oriental beech plantation areas which are within the boundaries of Maçka–Yeşiltepe and Vakfıkebir districts of Trabzon province, Turkey. With removing of 0%, 10%, 25% and 40% of basal area in a hectare of stands which are in sapling stage, sample plots were established by applying thinnings which are in four different intensities (control, light, moderate, strong). After the thinning applications, basal areas were calculated by measuring diameters and heights of trees in established sample plots in order to reveal stand growth. The effects of thinnings were revealed related to some stand characteristics (average diameter, basal area, average height, relative diameter increment, etc.) and determined chosen trees. The effect of thinning intensity on average diameter, basal area, and volume values is statistically important in every two plantations. 2-year results showed that thinning increased the diameter increment significantly, and the increase in diameter increment was positively correlated with the thinning intensity in both experiments. Moreover, increments of diameter, height, basal area, and volume were higher in Maçka-Yeşiltepe experiment than in Vakfıkebir experiment. But, the values of moderate and strong thinning intensities applied in Vakfıkebir were close to each other. When all the results are evaluated, application of strong thinning intensity for Yeşiltepe sample plot, the moderate thinning intensity for Vakfıkebir sample plot is seen appropriate by us in terms of both stand development.U ovom su istraživanju proučavani učinci prve prorjede različitih intenziteta u plantažnim područjima azijske bukve (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) vezano za povećanje promjera i visine stabala. Odabrane su primjerne plohe u plantažnim područjima azijske bukve unutar granica okruga Maçka–Yeşiltepe i Vakfıkebir u pokrajini Trabzon, Turska. Primjerne plohe utvrđene su prorjedom u četiri različita intenziteta (kontrolni, slaba, umjereni, jaka), uklanjanjem 0%, 10%, 25% i 40% temeljnice po hektaru sastojine u fazi mladika. Nakon prorjeđivanja, temeljnica je izračunata mjerenjem promjera i visine stabala u utvrđenim primjernim plohama kako bi se utvrdio rast sastojine. Utvrđeni su učinci prorjede povezani s određenim karakteristikama sastojine (prosječni promjer, temeljnica, prosječna visina, relativni debljinski prirast, itd.) i određenim odabranim stablima. Učinak intenziteta prorjede na prosječni promjer, vrijednost temeljnice i volumena pokazao se kao statistički važan u svakoj od dvije plantaže. Dvogodišnji rezultati pokazali su da je prorjeda značajno povećala debljinski prirast, a povećanje debljinskog prirasta je u pozitivnoj korelaciji s intenzitetom prorjede u oba eksperimenta. Štoviše, prirast promjera, visine, temeljnice i volumena bio je veći u eksperimentu u Maçka-Yeşiltepeu nego u eksperimentu u Vakfıkebiru. Međutim, vrijednosti umjerenog i jakog intenziteta prorjede u Vakfıkebiru bile su bliske. Nakon procjene svih rezultata, smatramo da je primjena jakog intenziteta prorjede u primjernoj plohi u Yeşiltepeu i umjerenog intenziteta prorjede u primjernoj plohi u Vakfıkebiru prikladna u smislu razvoja sastojine