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AbstractSocial robots, driven by cutting-edge technologies are designed to cater to various societal needs, facilitating complex human interactions involving multiple users and stakeholders. Their integration into daily life is anticipated to increase significantly. Within this context, the domain of shopping robots, which play a crucial role in enhancing and diversifying shopping experiences where human interaction is paramount, holds immense potential for development. This article aims to provide an overview of the current landscape of shopping robots and explore future research directions in this evolving field. Through this systematic review, key trends and insights in the field of shopping robots are identified, while also offering a categorization in the form of a 3D conceptual scheme, called the Public Space Robot (PSR) framework. The outcomes reveal significant developments over the past two decades (2002–2024), with the main concentration on developing and deploying mobile robots that offer functional or autonomous interaction for navigation assistance and customer service in shopping malls and retail stores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the effects of a telerehabilitation program on walking performance, lower and upper extremity function, fall frequency, respiratory function, and satisfaction in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods: Thirty children (mean age 8.8 ± 4.2 years) were ambulant (Group 1), and 12 youth (18.5 ± 4.7 years) were non-ambulant (Group 2). The telerehabilitation program was applied by physiotherapists for 24 sessions (3 days/week). The 10-meter walking test, stand up from the supine position test, the modified upper extremity performance test, repetition of Lower and upper extremity movements, and the single breath count (SBC) test were administered. Fall frequency and satisfaction level were also recorded. Results: Significant improvement was found after telerehabilitation in upper extremity performance, repetition of lower and upper extremity movements, fall frequency, and SBC scores in Group 1. Changes in the 10-minute Walk and Stand Up from the Supine Position tests were not significant. There was a significant improvement in SBC scores in Group 2. Satisfaction with the service was 88%. Conclusions: The 8-week telerehabilitation program was effective in improving aspects of upper and lower extremity function, fall frequency, pulmonary function, and satisfaction levels in individuals with DMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was planned to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Transgender Identity Survey, which evaluates internalized transphobia among trans people. This was a methodological study to verify the linguistic equivalence of the scale through the translation/back-translation method. Content validity was ensured by presenting it to experts in the field of nursing. Together with the Transgender Identity Survey, a structured question form was applied to 260 transgender individuals who volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected between 2020 and 2021. Internal consistency, factor analysis and test–retest reliability were used to determine consistency over time and intraclass correlations. The content validity index score was determined to be 0.852 (very good). As a result of factor analysis, the Transgender Identity Survey contained four factors, namely pride, transition, alienation and shame. The general internal consistency coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.862, with a good level of reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients were higher than the generally accepted value for all items. The Turkish version of the Transgender Identity Survey is a valid and reliable instrument. LAY SUMMARY: The scales that enable the assessment of "internalized transphobia," which is defined as transgender's discomfort with their gender identity because they cannot meet the gender norms and expectations of the society, are extremely important. For this reason, this study will contribute to the improvement of the biophysiological and psychological health of individuals by guiding the planning of interventions to evaluate internalized transphobia in trans individuals and to reduce internalized transphobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at designing and developing a learner-centered curriculum course for pre-service early childhood teachers considering their expectations, supporting active creation of lesson plans, and investigating course effectiveness. Participant self-reflections and course assistant feedback regarding lesson plans were gathered. At the semester end, participants evaluated their course expectations of developing knowledge and skills involving lesson planning. Through participants' lesson plans, self-reflections, and final evaluations, the designed learner-centered curriculum course was demonstrated effective. Gathering pre-service early childhood teachers' ideas during curriculum preparation made them active participants within the process as well as enabled them to recognize the significance of their ideas. It was also determined active participation to create lesson plans and one-on-one feedback improved pre-service teachers' lesson planning. Thus, this study can be seen as reflecting the promise of a designed learned-centered course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, the optimization and characterization of NiFe2O4/Polyhydroxymethyl methacrylate (NF-pHEMA) and Fe3O4/Polyhydroxymethyl methacrylate (M-pHEMA) magnetic nanogel structures were carried out and the usability of these magnetic nanogels for the immobilization of lipase enzyme was investigated. Fe3O4/pHEMA (M-pHEMA) nanogel and NiFe2O4/pHEMA (NF-pHEMA) nanogel structures were produced by the photochemical method. The characterization of these materials was performed by FTIR, SEM, AFM analysis. Then, the lipase enzyme was immobilized on magnetic nanogels by adsorption and after that cross-linking method under optimum conditions. For the characterization of lipase immobilized magnetic nanogels; optimum temperature, thermal stability, optimum pH, pH stability, reusability and kinetic parameters were investigated and nature and immobilized lipase were compared. It was observed that there was a significant improvement in the thermal and pH stability of the immobilized enzyme compared to the free enzyme. Lipase-immobilized M-pHEMA lost 50% of its activity after 15 uses and after 16 uses of lipase-immobilized NF-pHEMA. The results show that immobilization to the synthesized magnetic nanogels provides an improvement in the properties of the lipase enzyme. It is thought that the synthesized magnetic nanogels can be an alternative for different applications, especially drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Shoulder protraction is frequently seen in office workers because of working with excessive trunk flexion for a long time. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of stabilization exercises (SE) given in addition to office exercises (OE). Methods. Sixty office workers with shoulder protraction were divided into SE + OE (n = 30) and OE (n = 30) groups by stratified random sampling for 8 weeks and followed up for 4 weeks. Shoulder protraction was assessed with a caliper, muscle strength with a hand-held dynamometer, proprioception with an isokinetic dynamometer, vibration sense with a vibrometer and upper extremity functional performance with the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test. Results. There were significant improvements in all parameters in the OE + SE group, while increases in the strength of the upper trapezius, pectoralis major and infraspinatus muscles and in upper extremity functional performance were also found in the OE group (p < 0.05). During detraining, shoulder protraction, muscle strength, proprioception and upper extremity performance showed longer-term improvement with SE + OE (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The results obtained with the exercises demonstrate the importance of SE + OE in terms of maintaining proper posture and improving shoulder proprioception, muscle strength and functional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guillaume stunned the scientific community in 1897 by reporting a very low CTE in Fe36Ni alloy, which also named invar 36. The anomalous CTE feature makes invar 36 an indispensable material in a wide range of critical applications, including high precision optics, laser components, composite molds in aeronautical industry, and various instruments in spacecraft. However, the main drawback of invar 36 is that it is a ductile material, and thus, its machinability is poor. The problem is afore-mentioned applications mostly necessitate invar 36 to be machined into various complex shapes, and thus, mechanical properties of invar 36 should be improved in most cases. Many strategies have been studied to improve the mechanical properties of invar 36, including utilization of different manufacturing methods, introduction of numerous alloying elements, and application of various post-processes. The most common manufacturing methods of invar 36 are casting, powder metallurgy, and additive manufacturing. Casting allows rapid manufacturing and it is relatively cheap, thus, enables mass production of small to large-sized parts. Powder metallurgy is a versatile alternative to casting since it allows preparation of complex shapes from small to large volume that are close to net shape with almost no loss of raw materials. Recently, additive manufacturing is proposed to prepare invar 36 with complex shapes without a severe impurity problem. As one could expect, not only the mechanical properties, but also the puzzling thermal expansion behavior of invar 36 strongly depends on manufacturing methods as well as post-processes. This paper intends to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the research activities on invar 36. Previous studies are discussed in terms of process-structure-property relation, on-going challenges and conflicts are highlighted, and author opinions are provided with an intention of serving as a guide for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between attachment storycompletions, as evaluated by a representational attachment measure, and theory of mind (ToM) among 204 socioeconomically disadvantaged children aged four to six years living in three distinct Turkish contexts: Seasonal migrant agricultural worker (SMAW) communities, residential group homes (RGHs), and rural villages. Attachment story-completions and ToM were found to be related to the distinct contexts children were living in. In the SMAW communities, higher number of children showed insecure dominant attachment, with only one in four having secure dominant attachment. About half of the children in the RGHs had insecure dominant attachment. However, the majority of village children exhibited secure dominant attachment. Furthermore, irrespective of the context, secure dominant attachment was found to have a substantial positive influence on children’s ToM. Findings suggest that early intervention programs tailored to address emotional needs and support cognitive skills may be the most effective in helping children in these contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the performances of standardized patients plays a significant role in the effectiveness of clinical skills education. Therefore, providing standardized patients with constant feedback is essential. It is especially important to get students' perspectives immediately following their encounters with standardized patients. In the literature, there is no scale for use by students to evaluate the performance of standardized patients. Thus, the three main goals of this study were to: (1) develop a scale for use by students to evaluate the performance of standardized patients, (2) examine the psychometric properties of the scale, and (3) determine a cut-off score for the scale in a standard-setting Seven hundred and two medical students participated in the scale- development process, the pilot test, and the validation process, and seven educators took part in the standard-setting process. After the evaluation of content validity, construct validity was assessed via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. For the standard-setting study, the extended Angoff method was used. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the scale had a single-factor structure, which was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was 0.91. The scale consists of nine items. The cut-off score was determined to be 24.11/45, which represents the minimum acceptable standard for standardized patient performance. Our study outlined the critical steps in developing a measurement tool and produced a valid and reliable scale that allows medical students to assess the performance of standardized patients immediately following their interaction with the standardized patient. This scale constitutes an important contribution to the literature as it provides a tool for standardized patient trainers to assess standardized patients' weaknesses and help them improve their performance. Evaluation of SP performance is essential to ensure the educational quality of clinical skills training programs. Students are the most relevant stakeholders to give feedback about SP performance immediately after encounters. The 'Standardized Patient Performance Rating Scale – Student Version' is a valid, reliable scale that can be used by students for the evaluation of standardized patients' strengths and weaknesses at individual-performance levels quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the condensation reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N3P3Cl6 (HCCP) with N1,N3-bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-diamino-propane (1) yielded tetrachlorobis(2-furanyl-methyl)monospiro(N/N)cyclotriphosphazene (2). Fully substituted tetraaminobis(2-furanylmethyl)-spiro(N/N)cyclotriphosphazenes (2a and 2b) were obtained by Cl replacement reactions with excess pyrrolidine and piperidine, respectively, using dry THF under reflux of 2. The structures of the phosphazenes were confirmed by data obtained by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI-MS, 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR. Moreover, the molecular structure of 2b was elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The antiproliferative effects of phosphazenes (2, 2a, and 2b) on prostate (PC-3) and colon cancer (HT-29) cell lines were determined by cell viability analysis using MTT assay. Antimigratory effects were also investigated by scratch analysis. In addition, the effects of compounds against genes involved in apoptosis and cell migration were evaluated by gene expression analysis. As a result, it was found that compound 2a was more effective than compound 2b in both prostate and colon cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of Motivational Enhancement Training on male preservice preschool teachers' motivation and vocational-outcome expectations, using a randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Of the 34 participants, 17 formed the experimental group and the other 17, the control group. A Personal Information Form, Adult Motivation Scale and Vocational Outcome Expectation Scale, all adopted from prior literature, were used as data-collection tools. Data analysis relied on two-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements and t-testing. This revealed that Motivational Enhancement Training increased both the motivation and vocational-outcome expectations of the participants in the experimental group significantly as compared to those in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporotic fractures are usually painful. However, data on whether osteoporosis without fracture causes pain are insufficient. This study aims to determine whether osteoporosis without fracture is the cause of pain. Patients aged over 18 years who visited the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan and were suitable for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan without a history of fracture were included in the study. Patients with a history of fractures or those with fracture/fracture sequelae on X-rays were excluded. The cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine and general body pains of the patients were questioned and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry results were recorded. The study was conducted with 139 patients. Lumbar bone mineral density and T score values of the patients were found to be negatively correlated with the numerical rating scale levels of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, and general body pain. Hip total bone mineral density and T score values were also negatively correlated with numerical rating scale scores of the lumbar and thoracic spine and general body pain. When the patients were divided into two groups as those with and without osteoporosis, it was found that the cervical, lumbar, thoracic spine, and general body pain numerical rating scale levels of the patients with osteoporosis were significantly higher than the group without osteoporosis. The results of this study showed that osteoporosis might be associated with pain even though there is no fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flipped classrooms have become popular as a student-centered approach in medical education because they allow students to improve higher-order thinking skills and problem-solving applications during in-class activities. However, students are expected to study videos and other class materials before class begins. Learning analytics and unsupervised machine learning algorithms (clustering) can be used to examine the pre-class activities of these students to identify inadequate student preparation before the in-class stage and make appropriate interventions. Furthermore, the students' profiles, which provide their interaction strategies towards online materials, can be used to design appropriate interventions. This study investigates student profiles in a flipped classroom. The learning management system interactions of 375 medical students are collected and preprocessed. The k-means clustering algorithms examined in this study show a two-cluster structure: 'high interaction' and 'low-interaction.' These results can be used to help identify low-engaged students and give appropriate feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing social skills to children through an appropriate educational programme positively affects their overall development. The aim of this study was to examine the views and experiences of 13 Turkish preschool teachers working with 5–6-year-old children regarding support of children's social skills. An interview protocol was used to gather the views and self-reported practices of teachers, as well as a document review codebook was used to analyze the content of teachers' educational plans. The teachers were found to place importance on their educational programmes and regularly include social skills activities within their plans, while considering programme-based factors like gains and indicators and materials. However, the content of teachers' plans was considerably different from their self-reported practices regarding organization of the learning environment, interval of social skills activities, family involvement, and assessment. Finally, participating teachers were found to be deficient in effective planning of educational plans for promoting children's social skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the changes in developing perceived dispositions of preservice early childhood education (ECE) teachers influenced by student teaching experience. A convergent mixed-method research design framework was used to collect data for the study. The study sample comprised 86 preservice teachers enrolled at a public university in Ankara, 14 university supervisors responsible for the student teaching experience, and 86 cooperating teachers from public and private schools who were assigned to preservice teachers during their student teaching experience. The results revealed that preservice ECE teachers' teaching dispositions increased after the student teaching experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the AKP (Justice and Development Party) right-authoritarianism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, as seen from the perspective of necropolitics. It examines the relationships between politics and death, asking the question of how such relationships fell into an authoritarian character adversely influencing democracy and democratic values. For this, the study centres on the AKP government's response to the pandemic crisis, discussed as a manifestation of necropolitics. The paper explains the concept of necropolitics and underlines two of its fundamental characteristics: state of exception and creation of enemy. The paper focuses on these two traits to frame and critique the AKP's right-authoritarian politics during the COVID-19 outbreak. The aim of the analysis is to show how AKP politics has politicised death, bearing in mind the social and political opposition's moves against such politics in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study offers an in-depth analysis of the traumatic childhood experiences and perception of family relations of individuals in Turkey who have early maladaptive schemas. Criterion sampling yielded 20 individuals after the Young Schema Scale Short Form-3 was administered to 450 young adults to identify those with the most intense and active early maladaptive schemas. Interviews were conducted with participants using questions created by the researchers and analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The analysis revealed two main themes: conflicting family relationships and lack of marital satisfaction, and dysfunctional parenting. The first theme had three subthemes: conflict and lovelessness between spouse, violent relationships, and relationships open to the negative effect of relatives. The second theme had subthemes about the father and mother. The emerging themes related to fathers include headlines of authoritarian father, ambiguous loss, absence of father, having a traumatic life, dysfunctional parenting and early finished childhood; the themes about their mothers are listed as passive, having traumatic life, dysfunctional parenting and early finished childhood. This study provides detailed information about schemas formation, the experiences and family structures of individuals with high negative schemas which are important for clinical assessment, conceptualization and intervention in counseling and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors analyze the case of a preschool-aged child in child-centered play therapy (CCPT) and her parents in parent consultation. The child was referred to the clinic with the problem of constantly sucking her lips. 18 CCPT sessions were conducted with the child, and as a result of observed need, additional parent consultation meetings were held. The progress of the child in the therapeutic process was interpreted based on the CCPT perspective. In addition, the importance of the integrated parent consultation was discussed from a culturally sensitive standpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This critical ethnography explains how and why refugee children experience schooling in specific ways by examining teachers' use and interpretation of local refugee accommodation policies. It argues that locals' understanding of refugee protection framework to host refugees generates discourses such as brotherhood/sisterhood and guest and these discourses have an impact on the schooling practices and teachers' approaches to educating refugee children. The findings show that teachers pedagogic decisions rely on these discourses, and refugee children are affected by their teachers' adaptation of these local discourses to their classroom activities. Although teachers claim that they use child-centred and politics-free instructional methods as mandated in refugee education policies, their practices often challenge their claims. As a result, refugee children experience isolation, assimilation and a form of restriction of their critical thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to show the effects of drug management, home arrangements, and exercise combined program on falling and quality of life in older adults. The multidisiplinary study was conducted with 41 participants aged 65-74 years registered with three Family Health Centers. A combined program which consist of drug management, home arrangements, and exercise program was applied them individually for six months. Data were collected by self-report using a Sociodemographic Form, Domestic Environmental Risk Factors of Falling Form, Fall Risk Assessment Scale, SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, and Follow-up Form. The mean age of the participants was 69.1 ± 3.1 years, and were (F/M:37/4). After three and six months the domestic environmental risk factors of falling, fall numbers, risk and SF-36 quality of life subscales decreased significantly compared to baseline assessment (p<.05). The multidisciplinary program reduced the number of falls, the risk of falling and improved quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classic rubber hand illusion (RHI), based on visual, proprioceptive, and tactile feedback, can affect actions. However, it is not known whether these effects still occur if the paradigm is administered without visual feedback. In this study, we used the somatic RHI to test in thirty-two healthy individuals whether the incorporation of the rubber hand based on proprioceptive and tactile information only is sufficient to generate changes in actions. We measured maximum grip aperture (GA) changes towards a target and associated brain activations within the dorsal stream before and after the somatic RHI. Behavioural and neuroimaging data do not support an effect on maximum GA when the RHI is based on proprioceptive and tactile information only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tried to determine the fear and tolerance of uncertainty levels of the parents of children hospitalized with COVID-19, and their satisfaction with the health care received during this time. Data were collected from 130 literate parents. A significant difference was found between the mean scores on the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) and the age of the parents and the presence of COVID-19 in other family members and the IUS-12. Also, a significant correlation was found between parents' fear of COVID-19 and IUS-12 scores. Parents had good levels of satisfaction with health care received and moderate fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty levels. As parents' fear of COVID-19 increased, intolerance of uncertainty increased. The demographic characteristics, levels of fear of COVID-19, and intolerance of uncertainty did not affect the satisfaction levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we reported the synthesis of new cobalt and zinc phthalocyanine compounds with ((ethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid-N-2-ethyl)oxy) (ETAEO) substituted groups. Characterization studies and anticancer properties of both synthesized compounds were determined as well. The inhibitory effects of these complexes on some metabolic enzymes were examined and it was observed that the enzymes inhibited by complex molecules at the micromolar levels. In addition, the active sites of the enzymes were determined by molecular modeling programme for screening the enzyme-inhibitor interactions. The molecular docking method was used to calculate the interactions of molecules with enzymes. Also, human prostate and breast cancer cell lines (PC-3 and MCF-7) were used to determine the anticancer properties of the complexes. All doses of the tetrakis (ETAEO) phthalocyaninato Cobalt II (1) did not show any significant changes in PC-3 cell viability, but significantly reduced in MCF-7 cell viability. Similarly, all doses of the tetrakis (ETAEO) phthalocyaninato zinc II (2) significantly reduced MCF-7 cell viability compared to the control and solvent control groups. According to the enzyme inhibition studies, both complexes showed the best inhibition effects for α-Glycosidase enzyme with 125.85 ± 30.35 µM and 165.30 ± 27.18 µM Ki values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the clinical course of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients in COVID-19 pandemic, and to assess the COVID-19 outcomes in infected IIM patients. Materials & methods: In this study, 39 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Myositis disease activity, myositis damage index, depression, fatigue, active medical treatment, drug compliance and SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results in COVID-19 pandemic were collected. Results: Fourteen of these patients (35%) were detected to have a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. The demographic and clinical characteristics, active medical treatment, disease activity, depression and fatigue of the patients who had undergone or not SARS-CoV-2 were similar. Conclusion: Our results have shown that although prevalence of COVID-19 seems to be increased in IIM patients under immunosuppressive treatment, hospitalization rates were lower and no intensive care unit admissions or deaths were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment and early identification of gifted children is of great importance in terms of providing them with educational programs tailored for their abilities in specific areas. Individually administered intelligence tests are widely used to identify gifted children, and an above-average level of intellectual capacity is generally accepted as the main criterion for giftedness. This study aimed to investigate the utility of the Turkish version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) to distinguish gifted children from non-gifted children. For this purpose, 201 gifted children and 201 non-gifted children were included in the study. To be able to determine the predictive power of the WISC-IV index and subtest scores, logistic regression analyses were performed. Results indicated that the Perceptual Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index ​​scores (except Verbal Comprehension Index score), and all subtest scores significantly predicted giftedness. Furthermore, correct classification rates among gifted children were 93% for index scores and 97% for subtest scores. The findings of this study suggest that intelligence scores obtained from the WISC-IV have a diagnostic utility and provide valid and reliable results in identifying gifted children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saxagliptin is an effective and selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. This study was designed to determine possible protective effects of saxagliptin against damage caused by renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. In this study, 40 rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10 for each). Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (I/R) in both kidneys ischaemia of 45 min was performed, and then reperfusion was applied for 24 h. Saxagliptin (Group 3: 2 mg/kg and Group 4: 10 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage to the animals in treatment groups, before the I/R. Saxagliptin decreased the markers (BUN, Cre, NGAL, KIM-1 and IL-18) of acute renal damage in blood and kidney tissue. Saxagliptin provided increase in antioxidant enzyme levels and decrease in MDA and apoptosis. Histological results showed that the administration of saxagliptin exhibited a protective effect against renal damage caused by I/R. These results indicates that saxagliptin provide protection against kidney injury caused by I/R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate clinical implications of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity detected in COVID-19 patients during follow up. Materials & methods: A retrospective survey in a hospital database was carried out to detect COVID-19 patients in which ANCAs had been tested. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were collected from this hospital database and compared between ANCA-negative and -positive patients. Results: ANCAs were tested in 87 COVID-19 patients. Eight had positivity in at least one ANCA test. COVID-19 symptoms on admission and rate of pulmonary involvement were similar. Acute phase reactant levels were higher in ANCA-positive patients. Rate of mortality was higher in the ANCA-positive group without statistical significance. Conclusion: ANCA positivity detected during COVID-19 in patients without a prior diagnosis of any rheumatic condition may be related with worse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare vitamin B12, homocysteine, and anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA) levels between children with ASD and controls, paired in terms of age, sex, and socioeconomic level. The research group consisted of 69 children, 36 with ASD and 33 controls. The severity of ASD was determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Serum vitamin B12, homocysteine and human anti-parietal cell levels were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in children with ASD were lower than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in terms of APCA levels. Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as B12, may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of autism. However, it is believed that these parameters should be analysed in a wider population to clarify their effect on the aetiology of ASD. We hypothesised that low levels of vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels reported in previous studies might be associated with APCA levels. The homocysteine and B12 levels were found to be significantly lower in children with ASD. There was no significant difference in serum APCA levels. No significant relationship was found between B12 levels and APCA. Given all these findings, it can be stated that vitamin B12 deficiency is not associated with an absorption-related mechanism due to the presence of APCA. Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as B12, may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of autism. In future studies, it will be beneficial to investigate other mechanisms that may cause vitamin B12 deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of teachers in education is widely acknowledged in educational studies that routinely find that quality of teaching is fundamental to student success. Accordingly, this study set out to examine and describe the professional development of teachers in countries where students perform better in the PISA assessment, namely, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Singapore, and China. Data were obtained from primary sources and compared using Bereday's method. The general structure and systems used for professional development in each country were identified along with details of the admission requirements for teacher candidates, the induction process for new entrants to the profession, and how ongoing activities such as in-service training are facilitated. Common elements included quotas on the number of places available for pre-service training programmes, rigorous pre-selection and assessment of teacher candidates, and limited access to the profession for suitably qualified candidates with the minimum of a bachelor's degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study is to investigate pre-school teachers' creativity perceptions through metaphors. This study is a pheno-menological study that is qualitative in nature. The participants were 250 pre-school teachers who worked in the central towns of Adana/Turkey. Data were collected through the Metaphor Questionnaire about the concept of creativity. The data were analyzed using qualitative analysis methods. Results showed that the teachers produced 78 metaphors about creativity. An analysis of the findings in terms of creativity concepts showed that the teachers tried to explain creativity through metaphors about freedom and imagination, which are necessary for creativity. The metaphors produced by the teachers about creativity perceptions were collected under 7 conceptual categories. An analysis of the metaphors used by the teachers, as well as the explanations they provided, indicated that the pre-school teachers did not perceive creativity necessarily including originality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anakinra, which is an Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist with the advancing disease process, has started to be considered as an alternative treatment for Covid-19 patients with cytokine storms. We evaluated the effect of corticosteroids and IL-1 receptor blockage with anakinra on pregnant patients with Covid-19 at high risk for respiratory distress, ongoing fever, deterioration in their general condition and consequently maternal and fetal complications. Fourteen pregnant women who received anakinra (median dosage: 400 mg) and corticosteroid (methylprednisolone-median dosage: 80 mg) treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) scale. The mortality rate of the cohort was 7.1%, the median hospitalization period of the patients was 15 days and 2 patients had premature births. Covid-19 was found to have a similar spectrum of symptoms in pregnant and non-pregnant women, such as dyspnea, cough and fever. Our study was the first to analyze the combined treatment of corticosteroid and anakinra in pregnant patients with pneumonia from Covid-19 based on the WHO scoring system. Due to the obscurity in the treatment process in pregnant patients, studies are ongoing on managing Covid-19 infection in these patients. We presume that the early use of anakinra and corticosteroid treatments in patients severely infected with Covid-19 may have positive effects on disease progression and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to perform the Turkish-language adaptation of a practical ataxia rating scale for children. The Brief Ataxia Rating Scale was subjected to cultural adaptation following receipt of the requisite permissions. Thirty-six children aged 4–18 years followed-up with a diagnosis of ataxia were included in the study. Evaluation of each child was recorded on video. The video recordings were scored independently by nine observers (four physiotherapists, one pediatric neurologist, and four pediatricians). Intra-rater reliability was tested by the same video images being scored twice, at 15-day intervals, by a pediatric neurologist. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used for inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia was used for concurrent validity. Good to excellent reliability was determined among the nine observers in terms of total scores with the intraclass correlation coefficient among the nine observers (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.926; 95% CI: 0.885–0.956). Intra-rater reliability analysis results exhibited strong reliability in terms of scores elicited at two-week intervals (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.967; 95% CI: 0.890–0.987, r = 0.97, p < 0.001). At concurrent validity analysis, a strong relation was determined between total Scale of the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia score and total Brief Ataxia Rating Scale score (r = 0.942, p < 0.001). The Turkish-language adaptation of the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale is reliable and valid for application in children. This study shows the reliability and validity of the Turkish language adaptation of brief ataxia rating scale in children. The scale being both practical and easily applicable to ataxic children will contribute to broadening its use in the pediatric age group in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey has produced cadastral data using different methods until today. Therefore, not all the data are the same standard in quality. Three different methods (correction, digitisation and updating) have been applying for update. Choosing the right method will save significant time and cost. Also, surveying the fixed boundaries will give the most accurate results. However, this is not always possible. The distribution of fixed boundaries is only 46.39% in the application area. So, fixed boundaries should be measured as far as possible. The places where the digitisation and updating methods will be applied should be determined very well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Lindqvist-type polyoxometalate (POM) compounds [Cat][Cp*2M5VO17] (M = Mo (1), W (2)) were obtained from Cp*2M2O5 and NaVO3 in a 1:10 molar ratio in an acidic aqueous-methanol medium ([Cat]: Bu4P+ (1a, 2a), Bu4N+ (1b, 2b), Ph4P+ (1c, 2c), and BuNC5H5+ (1d, 2d)). They have been structurally characterized by 1H and 31P NMR, FT-IR, TGA, ESI, and elemental analysis techniques which support the proposed structures. In antibacterial studies, Ph4P[Cp*2Mo5VO17] (1c) is the compound that shows the highest antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negativebacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]