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AbstractEarly learners experience various difficulties when learning foreign languages. Augmented reality technology can support learning environments and foreign language vocabulary teaching by attracting the attention of early learners. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Augmented Reality (AR) technology supported English language learning activities on preschool children with the effects of traditional activities (presentation, lecture, question-answer). In this study, embedded mixed method was used. The sample of the study consisted of 44 five-year-old preschool children (19 boys, 25 girls). Color knowledge test, mood scale, observation, and interview forms were used as data collection tools. As a result of the study, it was concluded that AR-supported English learning activities were more effective than traditional activities on students’ English color vocabulary levels. The children were very happy and they had fun during the experimental process. According to the results of classroom observations, children made weekly progress in cognitive, affective and social/language categories. Implications are discussed in terms of pedagogical insights, practices for AR supported English language learning in preschool, and further research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper sought to investigate the modifies of inulin and Bacillus clausii on the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) inducing oxidative stress signaling pathway in the endotoxemic rat model. Wistar albino male rats (n = 36), divided into six groups, were formed randomly in the following stages: the control group; the prebiotic group (Inulin; 500 mg/kg); the probiotic group (Bacillus clausii; 1x109 CFU); the LPS group (1.5 mg/kg) as the endotoxemic model; the prebiotic group + LPS; and the probiotic group + LPS as treatment groups. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), advanced oxidation products of protein (AOPP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) levels increased in LPS-induced toxicity. Prebiotic treatment decreased LPS-induced hepatotoxicity on rat liver as observed in the decrease in the levels of oxidative stress parameters, such as ROS, TBARS, TOS, and OSI. The effect of the probiotic treatment on the ROS, AOPP, TOS, OSI levels was not statistically significant. However, it was determined that probiotic application was effective in the TBARS, TAS, and GSH levels. When the biochemical results of the prebiotic and probiotic treatment applications were compared, it was found that the prebiotic treatment was more effective on oxidative stress parameters (ROS, TBARS, TOS, and OSI). In addition, the histological damage score and MPO-staining results of the prebiotic treatment group were found to be more effective than the probiotic group. In this first study, where inulin and Bacillus clausii spores are used against liver damage caused by LPS, inulin provides much more effective protection than Bacillus clausii spores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanoid robots equipped with social skills have come to be used increasingly in the field of education across various subfields such as science education, special education, and foreign language education. In order to enhance the use of humanoid robots in educational settings, and to comprehensively evaluate its impact on the transformation of the class, understanding students' attitudes towards the use of robots for educational purposes plays a critical role. This paper outlines the implementation and validation procedures of an educational robot attitude scale (ERAS) developed to measure the attitudes of secondary school students towards the use of humanoid robots in educational settings. The sample of the study comprised of 232 secondary school students. The development and validation process consisted of exploratory factor analysis and convergent validity. The developed scale consists of 17 items and represents four factors of students' attitude: engagement, enjoyment, anxiety and intention. These four factors accounted for 66% of the total variance of the scale. Internal consistency coefficient for the whole scale was found.90 according to the reliability analysis. The results of the study suggest that the scale is a valid, reliable, and efficient tool for measuring the dimensions of students' attitudes towards humanoid robots in educational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although there are studies evaluating the effects of periodontal health on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the effects of COPD - a systemic disease, on periodontal tissue is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of COPD on periodontal tissues by comparing COPD patients and controls. Methods: Fifty-two COPD patients and 38 non-COPD controls were included in this case-control study. Number of teeth, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level and probing depth were included in the periodontal examination. In addition to clinical evaluations, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1 beta (IL-l b) and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), and serum hs-CRP levels were measured in COPD patients and the controls. Results: The number of teeth was significantly lower while PI and GI were significantly higher in COPD patients when compared to the controls. As well as serum hs-CRP levels, the GCF levels of hs-CRP, IL-1 b and PGE2 were significantly higher in COPD patients than the controls. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that COPD may be associated with periodontal disease as manifested by lower number of teeth and higher levels of inflammatory mediators especially CRP in GCF. This finding may be a reflection of systemic effects of COPD on periodontal tissues. Poor oral health behavior of COPD patients have to be considered in larger size group studies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]