The Effectiveness of STEM-Supported Inquiry-Based Learning Approach on Conceptual Understanding of 7th Graders: Force and Energy Unit

This research examines the effectiveness of the STEM Supported Inquiry-Based Learning Approach on the conceptual understanding of 7th graders. In the study, a mixed-method design was adopted. The research was carried out with 64 students studying in a secondary school. The study used a Conceptual Understanding Test (CUT) and an Interview Form as data collection tools. Quantitative data obtained in the research were analyzed using ANCOVA and T-test. Qualitative data were proceeded by subjecting them to content and descriptive analysis. Examining the study results, STEM Supported Inquiry-Based Learning Approach increased students’ conceptual understanding in the experimental group and the Inquiry-Based Learning Approach in the control group. It was determined that the science teaching in the experimental group was more effective in the conceptual understanding of 7th graders. The students stated that the science teaching in the experimental group was fun, created excitement, made them feel happy, instilled cooperation and team spirit, and thought by doing and living. Depending on the results obtained from the research, it was implicated that STEM-supported education should be carried out by determining the engineering design process steps suitable for the middle school level

Evaluation of the Heating & Cooling Energy Demand of a Case Residential Building by Comparing The National Calculation Methodology of Turkey and EnergyPlus through Thermal Capacity Calculations

In all around the world, because of the rapid population growth and exhausting energy sources over time, energy efficiency and energy conservation gradually come into prominence. Hence, in 2002, a directive (EPBD) which obligates reducing energy usage and energy performance in buildings was published by European Union. In this scope, Turkey has developed a National Building Energy Performance Calculation Methodology, BepTr, which is based on simple hourly method in ISO EN 13790 Umbrella Document to determine the energy performance of buildings. The aim of the paper is to display the energy demand differences resultant from only the envelope’s thermal capacity between simplified method which is projected in ISO EN 13790 Umbrella Document and EnergyPlus which is based on full dynamic simulation method

The Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Amide Against Paraquat-Induced Neurotoxicity

N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) is a new antioxidant molecule with powerful radical scavenging properties. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects of NACA against paraquat (PQ) toxicity in the midbrains of rats by using motor coordination tests and biochemical and histological analysis. Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group 1: control (n = 10), Group 2: PQ (10 mg/kg) (n = 10), and Group 3: PQ (10 mg/kg) + NACA (100 mg/kg) (n = 10). NACA was administrated intraperitoneally 30 min before PQ injection. Performance was measured for a period of 28 days. The rotarod and accelerod tests were performed prior to and after the experimental period. After the experimental period, rats were sacrificed and midbrain tissues were removed. According to biochemical data, malondialdehyde levels exhibited a significant increase (P \u3c 0.05) when the PQ group was compared to the control group, whereas the NACA-treated group showed a significant decline (P \u3c 0.05). The total glutathione levels (P \u3c 0.01) and the glutathione peroxidase and butyrylcholinesterase activities (P \u3c 0.05) in the NACA treatment group were significantly raised compared with the PQ group. The main finding in the rotarod and accelerod tests was that the PQ+NACA group had improved motor coordination functions, whereas the PQ group had lost motor coordination (P \u3c 0.05). Our histological data were also outstanding and were consistent with biochemical and motor coordination results in terms of the protective role of NACA against PQ-induced neurotoxicity

Evaluation of Initial Stress Distribution and Displacement Pattern of Craniofacial Structures with 3 Different Rapid Maxillary Expansion Appliance Models: A 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Objective: This study aimed to describe the displacement of anatomical structures and the stress distributions caused by the Hyrax, fan-type, and double-hinged expansion screws via the 3-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM).Methods: The 3D FEM was based on the computed tomography data of a 12-year-old patient with a constricted maxilla. The Hyrax model included 1,800,981 tetrahedral elements with 2,758,217 nodes. The fan-type model included 1,787,558 tetrahedral elements with 2,737,358 nodes. The double-hinged model included 1,777,080 tetrahedral elements with 2,722,771 nodes. The von Mises stress distributions after 0.2 mm of expansion and displacement patterns after 5 mm of expansion were evaluated.Results: The highest stress accumulation was observed in the sutura zygomatico maxillaris area with all 3 appliances. An increase in stress was noted at the pterygomaxillary fissure, the medial and lateral pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, and the nasal areas. The wedge-shaped skeletal opening was observed with all 3 appliances. In the transverse plane, maximum posterior expansion was achieved with the Hyrax appliance, whereas the maximum anterior expansion was observed with the double-hinged appliance. The maxilla moved inferiorly and anteriorly with all the 3 appliances. The greatest inferior displacement of the maxilla was recorded with the Hyrax appliance, whereas anterior maxillary displacement was the greatest with the double-hinged appliance.Conclusion: All the appliances showed similar stress distributions. The use of double-hinged screw caused a slight anterior displacement of point A. The fan-type and double-hinged appliances were shown to be more effective on anterior maxillary constriction, whereas the Hyrax appliance might be chosen for resolving maxillary posterior constriction

Traumatic Dental Injuries Occurred in Primary Teeth and their Sequel Effects on the Developmental Permanent Successors: A Controlled Study

Objective: To examine the types of traumatic dental injuries of the primary teeth (TDI-p) and the long-term sequelae on permanent dentition (LSP) comparing with a control group (CG). In addition, a questionnaire that measures parents' knowledge and awareness was used. Material and Methods: The trauma group (TG) consisted of permanent teeth following TDI-p exposed teeth, while the CG consisted of permanent teeth following unexposed teeth with TDI-p of the same patients. In total, 141 teeth were evaluated in 27 patients. Data concerning such as teeth, when TDI-p occurred, types of treatments and types of LSP were collected. Chi-square test was used for intergroup comparison for gender, type of trauma, LSP, age of trauma and parameters in the parental information questionnaire. Significance level was p<0.05. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the analysis between TG and CG (p<0.001). The prevalence of LSP due to TDI-p was 29.6% and the prevalence of sequelae in CG was 7.4%. The most common LSP was enamel hypoplasia (14.8%). Parents were aware of the importance of TDI-p, and they had insufficient knowledge about its management. Conclusion: TDI-p can be considered a high-risk factor in the development of LSP. Also, the lack of knowledge in parents should be supported by software-based application systems to be developed

Prospective Preschool Teachers’ Academic Achievements Depending on Their Goal Orientations, Critical Thinking Dispositions and Self-Regulation Skills

The aim of this study is to explain and predict prospective preschool teachers’ academic achievements depending on goal orientations they adopt, their critical thinking dispositions and self-regulation skills. Research sample constitutes of 265 prospective preschool teachers attending the Faculty of Educational Sciences in Cukurova University. Research data were collected with the 2x2Achievement Goal Orientations Scale, Self-Regulation Questionnaire and Critical Thinking Disposition Scale. Demographical information about prospective teachers’ gender, age, grade level and academic grade point averages were obtained with the personal information form. For the analysis of research data, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and discriminant analysis were used. In this study; it was concluded that prospective teachers with high level of learning approach orientation, critical thinking disposition and self-regulation skills had higher levels of academic achievement. However, it was determined that distinguishing variables among prospective preschool teachers with low, medium and high level of academic achievement included learning approach, performance approach goal orientation and critical thinking disposition and self-regulation skills. Correct classification percentage of distinguishing variables according to prospective preschool teachers’ levels of academic achievement was determined as 48.8%. Considering the fact that prospective teachers’ achievement-goal orientations, critical thinking dispositions and self-regulation skills may increase their academic achievement and shape their future teaching performances, it is suggested to implement programs that will contribute to the development of such skills and orientations among prospective preschool teachers

An interactive 3D virtual environment to reduce the public speaking anxiety levels of novice software engineers

Software engineering is a set of activities that relies no only on technical tasks but also requires abilities focused on social duties such as daily meetings and product introduction presentations. However, engineers may experience elevated levels of anxiety when required to present their work in an unfamiliar environment. More specifically, they may suffer from public speaking anxiety even though they are supposed to be effective in those social tasks as well as in their engineering activities. Fortunately, previous studies suggest that virtual exposure therapy is an effective strategy to reduce public speaking anxiety. In this study, an interactive 3D virtual environment similar to real classrooms and auditoriums was developed to examine if this might decrease the anxiety levels of novice software engineers. To compare traditional and virtual exposure therapy, the sample set (N = 14) was divided equally into 2 groups including one experimental group and one control group. For 4 weeks, the virtual exposure therapy was conducted in the experimental group whereas psychoeducation was used in the control group. The findings from our study illustrate that virtual exposure therapy may be represent an alternative solution to the traditional therapeutic intervention for software engineers seeking to overcome public presentation anxiet

Galanin-like peptide and its correlation with androgen levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Introduction: We aimed to investigate serum galanin-like peptide (GALP) levels and their correlation with hormonal and metabolic parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Material and methods: The study included 48 women (age range, 18–44 years) with a diagnosis of PCOS, and a control group that included 40 healthy females (age range, 18–46 years). Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and Ferriman-Gallwey score were evaluated and plasma glucose, lipid profile, oestradiol, progesterone, total testosterone, prolactin, insulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), fibrinogen, d-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and GALP levels were measured in all study subjects. Results: Waist circumference (p = 0.044) and Ferriman-Gallwey score (p = 0.002) were significantly higher in patients with PCOS compared to the control group. Among the metabolic and hormonal parameters studied, only total testosterone was significantly higher in patients with PCOS (p = 0.002). Also, the serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in the PCOS group (p = 0.001). CRP, fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels were all similar between the 2 groups. Serum GALP level was significantly higher in PCOS patients (p = 0.001). GALP was negatively correlated with 25(OH)D (r = –0.401, p = 0.002) and positively correlated with total testosterone values (r = 0.265, p = 0.024). Multiple regression analysis revealed that both total testosterone and 25(OH)D significantly contributed to GALP levels. Conclusions: Our study is the first in the literature to evaluate serum GALP levels in patients with PCOS. Increased GALP levels in PCOS and its association with total testosterone levels might show that GALP can act as an intermediary in increased GnRH-mediated LH release, which is one of the underlying pathogenetic mechanism of PCOS

The effect of ohmic heating pretreatment on drying of apple

[EN] In this study, effects of ohmic pretreatment on the drying rates and color kinetics of apple were investigated. Apple slices were treated at different electric field strengths (20-30 and 40 V/cm) at 60°C for 1 min. Drying process was applied at 60˚C-2 m/s by using a tray-dryer. ΔE and moisture content were calculated. These values were fitted to the semi-theoretical thin-layer drying and the zero and first-order kinetic model. The shortest drying time was found samples treated with 30 V/cm. Wang&Singh model gave the superior fit to the experimental data. ΔE fitted well to the zero-order kinetic model.Kutlu, N.; Yilmaz, MS.; Arslan, H.; Isci, A.; Sakiyan, O. (2018). The effect of ohmic heating pretreatment on drying of apple. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1487-1494. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7375OCS1487149

Serum neudesin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objectives: We aimed to investigate serum neudesin levels that has neural, metabolic functions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Material and methods: The study included 180 women (age range, 18–44 years) with a diagnosis of PCOS and a control group that included 100 healthy females (age range, 18–46 years). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, Ferriman-Gallwey score, was evaluated and plasma glucose, lipid profile, estradiol, progesterone, total testosterone, prolactin, insulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), FSH, LH, free T3, free T4, thyroid stymulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) antibody and neudesin levels were evaluated in all participants. Results: BMI and waist circumference were similar between two groups. Ferriman-Gallwey score was significantly higher in the patient group. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, lipid parameters except triglyceride levels, free T3, free T4, TSH, anti-TPO were similar between the two groups. Triglyceride, insulin and HOMA values were significantly higher in PCOS patients. While follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and DHEAS levels were similar, LH was significantly higher in patients with PCOS. Serum neudesin level was significantly lower in PCOS patients with respect to controls (p = 0.015). Neudesin was positively correlated with insulin (r = 0.224, p = 0.037), and progesterone (r = 0.716, p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that neudesin correlated with only progesterone (beta = 0.308, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Due to the association of decreased levels of neudesin with PCOS and correlation of neudesin with progesterone, neudesin may be related with one of patophysiologic pathways of PCOS. Still, it is not certain that decreased neudesin is involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS or is the result of the disorder