PROSPECTIVE SECONDARY MATHEMATICS TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION ON COMPETENCY OF GENERAL TEACHER BEHAVIORS

The aim of this study is to describe the perception on competency of the prospective secondary mathematics teachers in terms of general teacher behaviors. The sample consisted of 104 prospective teachers who were about to graduate. The data for the study were collected through “Prospective Teacher Competency Scale” including 5 dimensions and 43 items with a Likert-type grading. The five dimensions were 1) subject matter, 2) designing, planning, and administering instruction, 3) assessment and evaluation, 4) cooperation with others concerned, 5) professional development. As a result of this study, it was observed that prospective secondary mathematics teachers had a "fairly" level of proficiency perception in terms of general teaching behaviors.  Article visualizations

THE IMPEDIMENTS ENCOUNTERED WHILE LEARNING MATHEMATICS BY EIGHT GRADE STUDENTS

Mathematics is seen by many people as the best way to get a good life and a good career. It is also thought as an assistant to understand life and the world and to produce ideas about them. Therefore, new reform studies are being held to construct a new system that assists students to learn mathematics in a comprehensive way (Dursun & Dede, 2004). The importance of mathematics lessons and how to teach mathematics are increasing because of its potential to develop scientific thinking in accordance with the contemporary conditions and to implement these abilities into students’ daily life (Yildiz & Uyanik, 2004). Despite these studies, most of the students perceive mathematics as a difficult lesson and get low grades from mathematics tests. Therefore, the impediments in the mathematics learning process have been seen necessary. The aim of this research is to take the students’ opinions about the impediments while learning mathematics. The questionnaire prepared by researchers was given to 8th grade students. In the questionnaire, questions about mathematics lessons, mathematics teachers and mathematics learning process were asked to the students. The questions were edited by the experts’ opinions. The impediments in the mathematics learning process were determined with regard to the students’ opinions. The results will be presented and based on these results, some recommendations will be given.  Article visualizations

Cicatricial Alopecias

Primary cicatricial alopecias (PCA) are a rare group of disorders in which the hair follicle is the main target of destructive inflammation resulting in irreversible hair loss with scarring of affected lesions. Inflammation may predominantly involve lymphocytes or neutrophils. Cicatricial alopecias that mainly involve lymphocytic inflammation include lichen planopilaris, discoid lupus erythematosus, pseudopelade (Brocq), central centrifugal alopecia, alopecia mucinosa, and keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans. Cicatricial alopecias that are due to predominantly neutrophilic inflammation include folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. Acne keloidalis, acne necrotica, and erosive pustular dermatosis are cicatricial alopecias with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate

Self-Efficacy Beliefs Of Prospective Primary Mathematics Teachers About Mathematical Literacy

The aim of this study was to examine the self-efficacy beliefs about mathematical literacy among teachers of primary school mathematics and the relationship between the self-efficacy beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics. To that end, a descriptive research study was conducted with 550 prospective teachers studying primary school mathematics and teaching at three Turkish universities in three different cities. We obtained data through use of the Mathematical Literacy Self-efficacy Scale and a Scale Measuring Attitude towards Mathematics. The self-efficacy beliefs of prospective teachers about mathematical literacy were compared according to their gender, the grade level(s) they were being trained to teach, and the university they attended. Additionally, the relationship between the self-efficacy beliefs of the prospective teachers about mathematical literacy and their attitudes towards mathematics were examined. We also examined whether attitude is a predictor of self-efficacy beliefs. Based on the research findings, we determined that the self-efficacy beliefs of prospective teachers about mathematical literacy were high and these beliefs did not change according to gender, the grade level(s) they were being trained to teach, or the university they attended. Further, the results of the study revealed a significantly low relationship between the self-efficacy beliefs and attitudes of prospective teachers towards mathematics. The findings of this study indicate that prospective teachers’ attitudes towards mathematics are an important predictor of self-efficacy beliefs about mathematical literacy

The Value of Calcaneal Bone Mass Measurement Using a Dual X-Ray Laser Calscan Device in Risk Screening for Osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how bone mineral density in the calcaneus measured by a dual energy X-ray laser (DXL) correlates with bone mineral density in the spine and hip in Turkish women over 40 years of age and to determine whether calcaneal dual energy X-ray laser variables are associated with clinical risk factors to the same extent as axial bone mineral density measurements obtained using dual energy x-ray absorbtiometry (DXA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2,884 Turkish women, aged 40-90 years, living in Ankara were randomly selected. Calcaneal bone mineral density was evaluated using a dual energy X-ray laser Calscan device. Subjects exhibiting a calcaneal dual energy X-ray laser T- score <-2.5 received a referral for DXA of the spine and hip. Besides dual energy X-ray laser measurements, all subjects were questioned about their medical history and the most relevant risk factors for osteoporosis. RESULTS: Using a T-score threshold of -2.5, which is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), dual energy X-ray laser calcaneal measurements showed that 13% of the subjects had osteoporosis, while another 56% had osteopenia. The mean calcaneal dual energy X-ray laser T-score of postmenopausal subjects who were smokers with a positive history of fracture, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), covered dressing style, lower educational level, no regular exercise habits, and low tea consumption was significantly lower than that obtained for the other group (p<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the calcaneal dual energy X-ray laser T-score and age (r=-0.465, p=0.001), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.223, p=0.001), number of live births (r=-0.229, p=0.001), breast feeding time (r=-0.064, p=0.001), and age at menarche (r=-0.050, p=0.008). The correlations between calcaneal DXL and DXA T-scores (r=0.340, p=0.001) and calcaneal DXL and DXA Z-scores (r=0.360, p=0.001) at the spine, and calcaneal DXL and DXA T- scores (r=0.28, p=0.001) and calcaneal DXL and DXA Z-scores (r=0.33, p=0.001) at the femoral neck were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Bone mineral density measurements in the calcaneus using a dual energy X-ray laser are valuable for screening Turkish women over 40 years of age for the risk of osteoporosis

Amyloid Goiter Associated with Amyloidosis Secondary to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Amyloidosis refers to a variety of conditions in which amyloid proteins are abnormally deposited in organs and/or tissues. The most common forms of systemic amyloidosis are primary amyloidosis (PA) of light chains and secondary amyloidosis (SA) caused by chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although involvement of the thyroid gland by amyloid is a relatively common phenomenon, clinically significant enlargement of the thyroid owing to amyloid deposition is a rare occurrence. In SA, the deposition of amyloid associated (AA) protein is associated with atrophy of thyroid follicles. The clinical picture of these patients is characterized by rapid, painless thyroid gland enlargement which may be associated with dysphagia, dyspnea, or hoarseness. Thyroid function is not impaired in most cases. Although amyloid goitre secondary to systemic amyloidosis due to chronic inflammatory diseases is relatively common, specifically related to RA is much more uncommon one and it is reported less in the literature. In this report, A 52-old-year female patient with amyloid goiter associated with amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis is presented

Relationship between Peeled Internal Limiting Membrane Area and Anatomic Outcomes following Macular Hole Surgery: A Quantitative Analysis

Purpose. To quantitatively evaluate the effects of peeled internal limiting membrane (ILM) area and anatomic outcomes following macular hole surgery using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods. Forty-one eyes in 37 consecutive patients with idiopathic, Gass stage 3-4 macular hole (MH) were enrolled in this retrospective comparative study. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to anatomic success or failure. Basal MH diameter, peeled ILM area, and MH height were calculated using SD-OCT. Other prognostic parameters, including age, stage, preoperative BCVA, and symptom duration were also assessed. Results. Thirty-two cases were classified as anatomic success, and 9 cases were classified as anatomic failure. Peeled ILM area was significantly wider and MH basal diameter was significantly less in the anatomic success group (p=0.024 and 0.032, resp.). Other parameters did not demonstrate statistical significance. Conclusion. The findings of the present study show that the peeled ILM area can affect the anatomic outcomes of MH surgery

Humbling Turkishness: Undoing the Strategies of Exclusion and Inclusion of Turkish Modernity

Kurds make up about a fifth of Turkey's population. Turkey has taken steps – albeit slowly and reluctantly – towards increased recognition of Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights. However, within Turkey there is also a steeply rising tide of Turkish nationalism, prejudice and intolerance towards Kurds, and increasing anti‐Kurdish sentiment. This article brings studies of Kurdishness and Turkishness into a single conversation and traces the relationship between Turkish modernity, Orientalized Kurdishness and the construction of Turkishness as the efendi (master) identity. It does this by drawing attention to “strategies of exclusion and inclusion” in the construction of official Turkish history, and relates these to the way in which the tense borders between Kurds and Turks are maintained and currently reproduced. It also presents a normative argument in favour of “humbling Turkishness” and “solidarity trading zones

Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations

Purpose: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations. Materials and Methods: Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus. Results: The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing. Conclusions: This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians

The analysis of pre-service teachers' beliefs about mathematical problem solving

There are many extracurricular and classroom factors that should be considered in developing problem solving skills of students in teaching Mathematics. Students who acquired the ability of problem solving will not only be successful in their lessons but also will have skills to overcome problems that they will experience in their real lives. Problem solving includes the combination and coordination of various skills, beliefs, attitudes, intuitions, knowledge and previous acquisitions. For this reason, it has a key role in teaching mathematics. The purpose of this study is to analyze pre-service teachers' beliefs about mathematical problem solving in terms of various variables. For this purpose, the data was collected from 310 third-year students who are studying in teaching mathematics, classroom teaching and teaching science departments from two public universities in Istanbul. Belief Scale about Mathematical Problem Solving was used as a data collection instrument (Haciomeroglu, 2011). The data were analyzed by using statistical software. The correlation of some variable to pre-service teachers' belief about mathematical problem solving was analyzed. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd