Student Achievement in Turkey, According to Question Types Used in PISA 2003-2012 Mathematic Literacy Tests

The aim of this study is to determine the level of achievement of students participating in Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2003 and PISA 2012 tests in Turkey according to questions in the mathematical literacy test. This study is a descriptive survey. Within the scope of the study, the mathematical literacy test items were classified as multiple-choice, complex multiple-choice and constructed response items according to the different question types. The ratio of correct and partially correct and incorrect response given to each question type has been determined. Findings show that the achievements of students differ according to different types of questions. While the question type with the highest success average in the PISA 2003 test was multiple-choice, students got the highest scores from complex multiple-choice questions in the PISA 2012 test. The questionnaire with the lowest success average was found to be complex multiple-choice questions in the PISA 2003 test while students got the lowest scores from constructed response items in the PISA 2012 test. According to the constructivist education approach effectuated in 2005-2006 academic year, it is expected to observe a rise in constructed response question type; however, findings of the study reveal that the success of constructed response questions is decreased according to the application years

Bibliometric analysis of the transformation in air logistics operations in terms of digitalization and sustainability

Digitalization and sustainability are essential in today’s globalized business environment. Within the logistics sector, aviation plays a critical role in this dynamic environment by enabling rapid, safe transportation worldwide. While applying new approaches, air logistics processes should incorporate the tech-nologies and applications enabled by digitalization, and consider environmental, social, and economic sustainability impacts. These can be mutually beneficial in that new digital technologies can reduce environmental impacts, make a social contribution, and increase economic gains. While there is rapidly expanding literature about integrating these concepts for various purposes in different sectors, applications in air logistics are particularly promising. Accordingly, this study contributes to digital and sustainable air logistics research by iden-tifying current trends, revealing gaps in knowledge, and proposing future research directions. To do so, a literature review and a bibliometric analysis were conducted using VosViewer software. As a result, five potential research areas were proposed

Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Urban Transformation: A Case Study for Performance Evaluation

 Due to the decreasing resources in the world, different recycling applications in different sectors are gaining more importance. Urban transformations initiated especially for earthquake remnants and old buildings provide many advantages for the construction sector. Recycling of valuable materials from the wastes from each demolished construction site is very important in terms of costs. It is also important to analyse the effectiveness of both public and private companies to compare different approaches and illustrate best practices. From this point of view, this research has been carried out on the recycling of construction and demolition wastes in Turkey and the performance of companies dealing with this business. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and gray relations analysis (GRA) will be applied for the evaluation phase. The criteria will be analysed through AHP and the connection between companies will be determined with the GRA method. According to the results, potential improvement opportunities will be identified to increase the performance and competitiveness of construction excavation companies. This will also allow the findings to serve as a potential model for other construction companies operating under different contingency factors, as well as presenting the list of criteria that construction companies should pay attention for performance evaluation

Leptin concentration in breast milk and its relationship to duration of lactation and hormonal status

BACKGROUND: Leptin, a hormone present in breast milk, is involved in energy regulation and metabolism. The objectives of this study were to assess leptin concentrations in breast milk during the first 180 days postpartum, and to determine the relationship between the concentrations of milk leptin and circulating hormone levels in lactating women. METHODS: Between April 2005 and January 2006, blood and breast milk samples were collected from 160 breastfeeding women enrolled either in the first three days (n = 37; colostrum), days 4–14 (n = 27; transitional milk), days 15–30 (n = 16; early mature milk), days 31–90 (n = 37; mature milk) or days 91–180 (n = 43; late mature milk) postpartum. Milk and serum leptin levels were measured by immunoradiometric assay. Cortisol was measured by radioimmunoassay method. Serum insulin, estradiol, prolactin and thyroxine were measured by chemiluminescent immunometric method. RESULTS: Leptin concentrations in breast milk were highest (3.28 ± 0.41 ng/ml) in colostrum, decreased during the first 180 days of lactation, showing a significant inverse relation (r = -0.694, p < 0.001) with the days of lactation. Colostrum leptin concentrations correlated with maternal serum leptin (r = 0.425, p < 0.01), cortisol (r = 0.549, p < 0.01) and thyroxine (r = -0.530, p < 0.01). Mature milk leptin concentrations correlated with maternal serum leptin (r = 0.547, p < 0.001), insulin (r = 0.331, p < 0.05) and thyroxine (r = -0.329, p < 0.01). Serum leptin concentrations correlated with serum insulin (r = 0.648, p < 0.001), estradiol (r = 0.639, p < 0.001), prolactin (r = 0.530, p < 0.001) and thyroxine (r = -0.327, p < 0.05) concentrations during days 1–3 postpartum. During 15–180 postpartum days, serum leptin concentrations correlated with serum insulin (r = 0.271, p < 0.01), and thyroxine (r = -0.345, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Leptin concentrations in breast milk decrease with time during lactation and show significant relationships with other maternal hormones

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

A New Assessment of Heavy Metal Contaminations in an Eutrophicated Bay (Inner Izmir Bay, Turkey)

WOS: 000306092100016The distribution, controlling geochemical factors and contamination status of heavy metals in inner Izmir Bay (Eastern part of Aegean Sea) were investigated. 23 surface sediment samples were collected and analized for major elements (Al and Fe), heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Hg, Cr, Mn), organic matter, grain size composition, carbonate and Chl.-a. Metals controlling factors were elucidated based on statistical methods such as the Pearson product-moment linear correlation and Factor Analysis. The results illustrated that Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd are mainly controlled by organic matter and a lesser extent Fe. Pb also controlled by carbonate and Mn additionally. Other controlling factor on Cr and Cd are Chl.-a via uptake in water column and then sedimentation. Cu and Hg are mainly controlled by Chl.-a. Some evidences were found on changing of carrier phases. The results indicated that contamination of surface sediments in inner Izmir Bay is dominated Pb, Hg, Cd, Zn and to a lesser extent Mn, Cu, Cr and Fe. Igeo classification was consistent with the Enrichment Factor ans Contamination Factor classes generally. Geoaccumulation index values for Zn, Hg, Cr and Cd have decreased two contamination classes from 1994 to 2008, whereas Pb has remained the same and Cu has decreased only one class. Generally Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg and Cr contaminations were below effects range median values. The extent of heavy metal contamination and degree have been affected significantly by sedimentological parameters such as grain size, organic carbon, carbonate and chloropyll-a

Logistics centers in the new industrial era: A proposed framework for logistics center 4.0

Ozkan Ozen, Yesim Deniz/0000-0003-4520-6590WOS: 000521514700004This study focuses on the transformation of logistics centers in Industry 4.0. Aim is to reveal the important criteria for logistics centers in Industry 4.0 by considering link to traditional logistics centers practices and proposing a framework for new logistics centers. Initially, literature review to reveal criteria for logistics centers in Industry 4.0 is conducted. Secondly, fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methodology is used to present the importance order, and the causal relation. ship between criteria to make recommendations for future implications. the results may be useful for logistics center's professionals in transition process, and new research topics may be derived for academics