INVESTIGATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHER CANDIDATES’ COGNITIVE STRUCTURES ON SOME BASIC SCIENCE CONCEPTS

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the cognitive structures of classroom teacher candidates on some basic science concepts. Word association test (WAT) technique was used to gather data. Twelve keywords related to basic physics, chemistry, and biology concepts were determined and used in the formation of WAT’s. Forty-three classroom teacher candidates studying at 2nd classes at an education faculty were the participants of this study. Data obtained by WAT were examined by using number of different responses given to each keyword, and by drawing concept maps according to both frequencies and relatedness coefficients. A cut-off point technique was used when drawing the concept maps. Because of this study, it can be said that participants have moderate cognitive structures on the investigated science concepts and their cognitive structure was strongest on chemistry concepts and weakest on biology concepts.   Article visualizations

Investigation of Sm -> Ca substitution in Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO high temperature superconductor by low field AC magnetic susceptibility

Yegen, Dincer/0000-0003-3180-600X; Terzioglu, Cabir/0000-0002-3944-0367WOS: 000247402300064We have investigated the effect of Sm substitution in Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO system by performing AC susceptibility (chi = chi' + i chi ''), XRD (X Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) measurements. The Sm -> Ca substitution (Bi(1.)6Pb(0.4)Sr(2)Ca(2-x)Sm(x)Cu(3)O(y)) was carried out by conventional solid-state reaction method. The susceptibility measurements were carried out at different values of the AC field amplitudes. The imaginary part of susceptibility is used to estimate the intergranular critical current density by means of the Bean's model. The intergranular critical current density (J(c)) of pure sample is found to be about 68 A/cm(2) at 95 K. The intergranular J(c) is seen to decrease with increasing Sm substitution. XRD pattern and SEM micrographs are given to provide information about Bi-2223 phase and grain size respectively

Predicting Mortality and Morbidity of Geriatric Femoral Fractures Using a Modified Frailty Index and Perioperative Features: A Prospective, Multicentre and Observational Study

Introduction: Femoral fracture is associated with high geriatric mortality. Frailty is the increased vulnerability to stressors resulting from aging-associated decreases in physiological reserve. We aimed to predict 30-365-day postoperative mortality and morbidity rates using modified frailty index and perioperative characteristics in geriatric femoral fractures. Materials and Method: Using a prospective observational design, data were collected from patients >65 years undergoing femoral fracture surgery from 13 different hospitals in 2016 and 2017. Post-discharge follow-up periods were 30, 90, 180, and 365 days. Age, sex, modified frailty index and anaesthesia types used during surgery were recorded. Renal markers, troponin I and haemoglobin levels were examined preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 and 72 hours. Results: We included 392 patients in this study. The age of the patients were between 65 and 101 (mean, 79 +/- 11.9). Median modified frailty index was 5 (interquartile range, 2-7). Increase in modified frailty index increased mortality rate. Mortality rate at postoperative 30 days was 9.8%, while overall study mortality rate was 23%. Spinal anaesthesia was administered in 205 patients (52.3%, most frequent), followed by general in 110 (28.1%), peripheral nerve blocks in 21 (5.4) and spinal-epidural in 43 (11%). Anaesthesia type affected both intensive care unit (p<0.001) and total hospitalization (p<0.012) duration. A logistic regression model revealed that frailty index, preoperative creatinine and centre type were independent mortality predictors. Conclusion: Increased modified frailty index was associated with higher postoperative mortality risk, thus providing an additional way for improving risk stratification. Preoperative creatinine increase and centre types are determining factors in mortality.WoSScopu

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P &lt; 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)