Assessment of the degree to which primary school teachers use alternative assessment and evaluation methods

AbstractThis study was carried out among 60 primary school teachers who teach at Ministry of Education's state and private schools to investigate primary school teachers’ opinions regarding the degree to which they know and use alternative assessment and evaluation methods. This is a descriptive study since it is a kind of research that establishes already existing situation. The scale which Kuran and Kanatlı (2008) prepared and of which they made the validity and reliability measurements was carried on the participants, the collected data was analyzed statistically and the opinions of primary school teachers were asserted based on the statistical findings. No significant difference was found among teachers’ opinions of alternative assessment and evaluation methods. It was singled out that the teachers mostly use performance evaluation, concept maps and portfolios of all alternative assessment and evaluation methods

An assessment of the adoption of compost manure by smallholder farmers in Balaka District, Malawi.

The decline in soil fertility is widespread in Malawi and is threatening food security in the country. While the use of inorganic fertilizers to improve soil fertility has immediate results, the escalating prices make it impossible for the majority of smallholder farmers to use them. There is, therefore, need for alternative low-cost soil fertility enhancing technologies. Compost manure seems to be a viable option to be promoted. This study was designed to assess the adoption of compost manure making and utilization by smallholder farmers. The study was conducted through a combination of individual interviews and observation of 150 smallholder farmers as well as through focus group discussions. Key recommendations for compost manure technology were identified through consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Based on the key recommendations, a knowledge test was constructed to assess knowledge of the technology and a checklist was designed to assess farmer practice. The study revealed that the most critical factor that affected the adoption of compost manure technology was knowledge. Given that knowledge is a pre-requisite to any technology adoption, farmers knowledge on composting will therefore need to be raised substantially before appreciable levels of adoption can be expected. The amounts of compost that farmers made fell far short of their annual needs because of the late timing of the actual compost manure making. However, farmers have a positive perception of the compost manure technology as they believe it improves soil productivity

The Rare Malignancy of the Hepatobiliary System: Ampullary Carcinoid Tumor

Introduction. Carcinoid tumors are low-grade tumors originating from endoderm and mostly involving the gastrointestinal system. However; they may be seen in any site within the gastrointestinal system. Case Presentation. A 69-year-old female patient. The results of blood tests were observed to be consistent with obstructive jaundice. A mass appearance was not encountered on tomographic examination. Papilla that was tumor-like macroscopically was seen in the second part of the duodenum in diagnostic endoscopy. Pylorus—preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy surgical procedure was applied. On pathological examination of the mass, a tumoral mass was detected in ampulla vateri localization, 1.5 × 1 × 0.8 cm in size, which, in immunohistochemical staining, was evaluated as a neuroendocrine tumor. Also, Metastasis was observed. Conclusion. The rarest type of carcinoid tumor is ampullary located carcinoid tumor, and tumor size is not a reliable indicator for tumor aggressivity in ampullary carcinoid tumors

Makrozomik fetuslar 38. gebelik haftasında doğurtulabilir mi?

Objective: Numerous articles have been written on macrosomic fetuses, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practice bulletin. However, there is no clear consensus about the time of birth. The aim of this study was to compare the maternal and fetal outcomes of women giving birth at 38+0-38+6 weeks and those with deliveries at ≥39 weeks in pregnancies complicated by fetal macrosomia, and to determine the effect on morbidity and mortality of delivery in the 38th gestational week.Material and Methods: Data of women and their infants born in Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between 01 May 2018 and 31 March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients included were those with a singleton pregnancy delivered at ≥38 weeks with a birthweight of ≥4000 gr. Demographic data and medical history and birth outcomes of the patients were recorded from the hospital data system. Multiple pregnancies, those with fetal anomalies and births <38 weeks were excluded from the study. The patients were separated into two groups as those who gave birth at 38+0-38+6 gestational weeks (Group 1) and those who gave birth at ≥39 weeks (Group 2).Results: Maternal and/or fetal trauma was found to be statistically significantly higher in nulliparous women with vaginal delivery ≥39 weeks compared to those with vaginal delivery at 38+0-38+6 weeks (p=0.017). No significant difference was observed between the groups in respect of fetal morbidity and mortality.Conclusion: When fetal macrosomia is determined antenatally, rates of fetal and/or maternal trauma can be reduced with delivery planned for the 38th week without increasing fetal morbidity and mortality.Amaç: Makrozomik fetüsler hakkında, Amerikan Obstetrik ve Jinekoloji Derneğinin bültenleri de dahil olmak üzere çok sayıda makale yazılmıştır. Ancak doğum zamanı konusunda net bir fikir birliği yoktur. Bu çalışmanın amacı fetal makrozomi ile komplike gebeliklerde 38+0-38+6 hafta arasında doğum yapan kadınlar ile ≥39 hafta sonrasında doğum yapan kadınların maternal ve fetal sonuçlarını karşılaştırmak ve doğum haftasının 38. haftaya çekilmesinin yenidoğanın morbidite ve mortalitesini etkileme düzeyini belirlemektir.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu retrospektif çalışmada, 01 Mayıs 2018-31 Mart 2020 tarihleri arasında Kayseri Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesinde doğum yapan kadınların ve bebeklerinin verileri geriye dönük olarak tarandı. Doğum ağırlığı ≥4000 gram, tekil, ≥38 hafta üzerinde doğum yapan hastalar çalışmaya dâhil edildi. Hastaların demografik ve medikal öyküleri ve doğum sonuçları hastane veri sisteminden kayıt edildi. Çoğul gebelikler, fetal anomaliler ve <38 gebelik haftasındaki doğumlar çalışma haricinde tutuldu. Hastalar 38+0- 38+6 hafta arasında doğum yapanlar (Grup 1) ve ≥39 haftada doğum yapanlar (Grup 2) olarak iki gruba ayrıldı.Bulgular: ≥39 haftadan sonra vajinal doğum yapan (grup 2) nullipar kadınlarda maternal veya fetal travma 38+0 - 38+6 (grup 1) hafta arasında vajinal doğum yapan nullipar kadınlara oranla istatistiksel anlamlı olarak yüksek bulundu (p=0.017). İki grup arasında fetal morbidite ve mortalite incelendiğinde gruplar arasında anlamlı farklılık izlenmedi.Sonuç: Doğum öncesi değerlendirmede fetal makrozomi saptanan gebelerde fetal ve/veya maternal travma oranları, fetal morbidite ve mortalite arttırılmadan 38. haftada planlanacak bir doğum ile azaltılabilir

Rehabilitation of edentulous patient using endosteal and subperiosteal implants: A case report

Introduction: Endosteal implants may be insufficient in treating complete edentulism in severe bone loss, such as advanced bone resorption, trauma, infection, intraoral pathologies, and traumatic tooth extractions. With the developing technology, in cases where bone quality and quantity are inadequate, treatment with custom-made subperiosteal implants also emerges as an alternative. Case: This case report examined the procedural steps and the six-month post-operative period while evaluating our edentulous patient who rehabilitated using endosteal and custom-made subperiosteal implants. Results: No resorption or mobility of the implants was detected in the 6th-month post-operative control of our complete edentulous case, which was rehabilitated using traditionally used intra-bone implants in the maxilla and subperiosteal implants in the mandible. Conclusion: One of the essential advantages of the subperiosteal implant system is that it provides fixed prosthetic treatment, especially in jaws with advanced bone atrophy. Correct case selection and appropriate surgical and prosthetic treatment will increase success. Keywords: Dental implantation; Endosteal; Mouth rehabilitation; Subperiosteal

Comparison of the Effect of Different Anesthesia Maintenance on Hemodynamics in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:General anesthesia management in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGC) should preserve myocardial function, prevent ischemic damage, and maintain stable hemodynamics. There is not a universally accepted technique for anesthetic management during CABGC. Drugs or drug combinations and maintenance of infusions are decided based on the pathophysiological condition of the patient and the individual preference and experience of the anesthesiologist (1). Although there are many studies about an anesthesia induction in CABGC, studies about anesthetic maintenance are very limited. In this study, we compared the hemodynamic effects of three different methods that were used in anesthetic maintenance in CABGC.Method:The retrospective records of 108 patients in ASA II-III group who underwent elective CABGC were divided into 3 groups according to their anesthetic maintenance methods. Group I was maintained with 1-3% sevoflurane and fentanyl 4 mcg/kg/hour infusion, group II with propofol 1.5-4 mg/kg/hour and fentanyl 4 mcg/kg/hour infusion, and group III with propofol 1.5-4 mg/kg/hour and remifentanil infusion of 0.03 mg/kg/hour. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured and recorded after induction (T0), after sternotomy (T1), after pericardiotomy (T2), 5 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (T3), after thorax closure (T4), at the end of the operation (T5). The vasodilator requirements in the time period before CBP and the inotropic agent requirements after CPB were noted.Results:Data of 108 patients (88 men/20 women) were analyzed. Demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in all the groups. Statistical analysis was made among the groups depending on coronary artery bypass graft number, cross-clamp time, total fluid administration, total blood transfusion, total urine volume, inotropic agent requirement after CPB, postoperative central venous pressure, and pre- and postoperative lactate levels; however, there was no statistical difference. There was not change more than 20-25% in MAP and HR in group I than the others.Conclusion:Better hemodynamic results were achived with sevoflurane and fentanyl in the anesthetic maintenance of CABGC

Analysis of Stochastic Strategies in Bacterial Competence: A Master Equation Approach

Competence is a transiently differentiated state that certain bacterial cells reach when faced with a stressful environment. Entrance into competence can be attributed to the excitability of the dynamics governing the genetic circuit that regulates this cellular behavior. Like many biological behaviors, entrance into competence is a stochastic event. In this case cellular noise is responsible for driving the cell from a vegetative state into competence and back. In this work we present a novel numerical method for the analysis of stochastic biochemical events and use it to study the excitable dynamics responsible for competence in Bacillus subtilis. Starting with a Finite State Projection (FSP) solution of the chemical master equation (CME), we develop efficient numerical tools for accurately computing competence probability. Additionally, we propose a new approach for the sensitivity analysis of stochastic events and utilize it to elucidate the robustness properties of the competence regulatory genetic circuit. We also propose and implement a numerical method to calculate the expected time it takes a cell to return from competence. Although this study is focused on an example of cell-differentiation in Bacillus subtilis, our approach can be applied to a wide range of stochastic phenomena in biological systems

Use of surface plasmon resonance for the measurement of low affinity binding interactions between HSP72 and measles virus nucleocapsid protein

The 72 kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) is a molecular chaperone that binds native protein with low affinity. These interactions can alter function of the substrate, a property known as HSP-mediated activity control. In the present work, BIAcore instrumentation was used to monitor binding reactions between HSP72 and naturally occurring sequence variants of the measles virus (MV) nucleocapsid protein (N), a structural protein regulating transcription/replication of the viral genome. Binding reactions employed synthetic peptides mimicking a putative HSP72 binding motif of N. Sequences were identified that bound HSP72 with affinities comparable to well-characterized activity control reactions. These sequences, but not those binding with lesser affinity, supported HSP72 activity control of MV transcription/replication. BIAcore instrumentation thus provides an effective way to measure biologically relevant low affinity interactions with structural variants of viral proteins

An interesting journey of an ingested needle: a case report and review of the literature on extra-abdominal migration of ingested Foreign bodies

Swallowed foreign bodies encounter a major problem especially in children, but fortunately they mostly do not cause any related complication and are easily passed with the stool. In this paper, an interesting journey of a needle is presented. A 20-year old female admitted to our emergency service after she had swallowed a sewing machine needle, which is initially observed in the stomach in the plain abdominal radiography. During the follow-up period, the needle traveled through bowels, and surprisingly was observed in the left lung on 10th day of the follow-up. It was removed with a thoracotomy and pneumotomy under the fluoroscopic guidance. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the day 5. We also review the literature on interesting extra-abdominal migrations of swallowing foreign bodies