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Abstract This study aimed to generate a delayed 64Cu-dotatate (DOTA)-rituximab positron emission tomography (PET) image from its early-scanned image by deep learning to mitigate the inconvenience and cost of estimating absorbed radiopharmaceutical doses. We acquired PET images from six patients with malignancies at 1, 24, and 48 h post-injection (p. i.) with 8 mCi 64Cu-DOTA-rituximab to fit a time–activity curve for dosimetry. We used a paired image-to-image translation (I2I) model based on a generative adversarial network to generate delayed images from early PET images. The image similarity function between the generated image and its ground truth was determined by comparing L1 and perceptual losses. We also applied organ-wise dosimetry to acquired and generated images using OLINDA/EXM. The quality of the generated images was good, even of tumors, when using the L1 loss function as an additional loss to the adversarial loss function. The organ-wise cumulative uptake and corresponding equivalent dose were estimated. Although the absorbed dose in some organs was accurately measured, predictions for organs associated with body clearance were relatively inaccurate. These results suggested that paired I2I can be used to alleviate burdensome dosimetry for radioimmunoconjugates.

Abstract Fruits are a rich source of antioxidants, which can decrease the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species and provide health benefits. The objective of this study is to investigate the fermentation properties of water kefir grains when combined with plum juice. The study examines microbial and chemical properties, antioxidant capacity, volatile compounds, and organoleptic evaluation. The pH was 3.15, dry matter was 6.67, total soluble solids content was 7.05 oBrix, and viscosity was 17.8 cP for water kefir beverage. After 24 h of fermentation, the microbial content for Lactobacillus spp., Lactococcus spp., and yeasts was approximately 7 Log CFU/mL. The L*, a*, and b* values were 22.16, 3.77, and 0.17, respectively. The total phenolic content of the water kefir was determined to be 234 mg GAE/L, with a DPPH value of 13.08% inhibition and a TEAC value of 0.60 mmol TE/L. Plum water kefir contained 22 different volatile compounds, of which 2-propyl-1-pentanol, pentanoic acid ethyl ester, propanoic acid 2-methyl, ethanol, acetic acid, butanoic acid 2-oxo were the dominant ones. The sensory analysis panel also deemed plum-juice water kefir to be a moderately acceptable beverage. In summary, plum juice proved to be a suitable fermentation medium for water kefir grains due to its high antioxidant capacity, good microbial viability, and desirability as a new food product for consumers.

Aim: to discuss the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of the clinical case of solid pseudopapillary tumour of the pancreas (SPTP).Key points. SPTPs are rare tumours known for their low malignant potential. They are predominantly found in younger females, typically occurring in the tail of the pancreas. Surgical resection of SPTP with negative margins is associated with improved survival rates and lower chances of recurrence. In this study, we discuss the case of a 69-year-old woman diagnosed with an SPTP originating from the tail of the pancreas, which had spread to the hilum of the spleen. A radical resection was performed, successfully obtaining negative surgical margins. However, the patient subsequently developed metastasis to the liver and lungs, prompting the initiation of systemic chemotherapy. The patient died seven months after the development of metastasis and 39 months following the primary diagnosis. This case underscores that, despite initial successful surgical outcomes, high-risk histopathological features can lead to recurrence and metastasis, necessitating reassessment of treatment strategies.Conclusion. Negative surgical margins are critical for a favourable prognosis in the treatment of SPTPs; however, close monitoring for potential recurrence is essential. Our findings highlight that even after achieving negative margins, patients with high-risk features should undergo rigorous follow-up and consider postoperative systemic chemotherapy. This clinical case emphasizes the complexity of managing SPTP and the need for individualized treatment strategies, as early detection of recurrence can significantly influence survival outcomes.

Abstract This study uses machine learning (ML) to elucidate the contact relationship between the mandibular third molar (M3M) and the inferior alveolar canal (IAC), leading to three major contributions; (1) The first publicly accessible PR image dataset with semantic annotations for 1,478 IACs and M3Ms from 1,010 patients is introduced, which includes challenging cases, such as false positive contacts, with CBCT images as the gold standard, (2) Established radiological indicators for M3M-IAC contact were extracted as features using digital image processing, and these features were used as inputs for various ML methods. Eligibility was assessed through statistical analysis and radiologists evaluations. Clinical feedback from radiologists on these features provides insights for future improvements. (3) ANNs, two custom CNNs, seven established DL models, and their combinations were used for automatic M3M-IAC contact determination with extracted features, semantic annotations, and ROIs. The ANN configuration surpassed both radiologists and DL models in specificity (82%), F1 score (92%), and accuracy (85%), while maintaining a comparable sensitivity (86%) to the DL models. This indicates that ANNs can effectively predict M3M-IAC contact relations and are particularly effective at identifying cases with no contact relation between M3M and IAC compared to other ML methods. Future work should focus on developing automated segmentation algorithms for M3M and IAC on PRs, to identify relevant anatomical structures, thereby improving clinical usability. The dataset, feature extraction, and ML codes are available through the CONTACT grand challenge.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the expression profile and prognostic significance of inflammation-associated lncRNAs in chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and CVH-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (CVH-HCC). Material and Methods: In the first step, lncRNA expression analysis was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using an array panel of 84 inflammation-associated lncRNAs in 48 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples (12 CVH-HCC, 12 peritumoral cirrhotic parenchyma, 12 nontumoral cirrhotic CVH parenchyma, 12 normal liver samples). In the second step, 7 lncRNAs (DLEU2, HOTAIR, LINC00635, LINC00662, RP11-549J18.1, SNHG16 and XIST) were chosen for RT-PCR assay testing in 72 samples (24 CVH-HCC, 24 peritumoral cirrhotic parenchyma, 24 nontumoral cirrhotic CVH parenchyma samples). Results: Fifty-six inflammation-associated lncRNAs were significantly up-regulated in the peritumoral cirrhotic parenchyma compared to the normal liver. Expression of 71 lncRNAs was significantly higher in peritumoral cirrhotic parenchyma compared to cirrhotic CVH parenchyma. DLEU2 and SNHG16 were up-regulated both in the tumor and peritumoral cirrhotic parenchyma compared to cirrhotic CVH parenchyma. Expression of LINC00662 was significantly higher in CVH-HCC than in cirrhotic CVH parenchyma. Expression of XIST was also increased in both tumor and peritumoral parenchyma samples, albeit without statistical significance. No significant association was found between lncRNA expressions and survival. Conclusion: Inflammation-associated lncRNAs DLEU2, SNHG16, LINC00662, and XIST are candidate diagnostic biomarkers in CVH-HCC. More evidence is needed to prove their utility as prognostic markers.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential of the Marrubium cuneatum aqueous and extracts, in addition to the fractions acquired from the liquid-liquid fractionation, respectively.Method: The plant extracts were obtained using maceration, which were separated into their fractions based on polarity using the liquid-liquid fractionation method. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the microdilution method. The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH•, ABTS+, and CUPRAC assays. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts and fractions were evaluated by examining their effects on lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme inhibition.Results: In the antioxidant assays, the n-butanol fraction of the methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of the aqueous extract showed activity in all tests, followed by the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanolic extract, respectively. In the antimicrobial assays, no remarkable inhibitions were observed compared to the reference compounds. It was noticed that the extracts and fractions showed no effect on the inhibition of the lipoxygenase enzyme. Conclusion: The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed relatively strong antioxidant effects, however, no significant antimicrobial activity was observed. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, it was determined that the plant did not exhibit any anti-inflammatory effect through the lipoxygenase enzyme suggesting further detailed research on other fractions or purified compounds of the plant material.

Background: Male factor infertility is a health problem that affects millions of couples around the world. Male factor infertility is responsible for approximately more than half of all cases of infertility. About 15% of men and 10% of women with infertility may have genetic abnormalities, including chromosomal abnormalities and single gene mutations. In this study, results of genetic analys is of the infertile male patients who underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE) with the diagnosis of non-obstructive azoospermia were evaluated in order to reveal genetic defects that impair or prevent spermatogenesis in male infertility. Methods: We compared the results of peripheral blood chromosome analysis, molecular karyotyping, male infertility genetic panel, and also testosterone, prolactin, follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in non-obstructive azoospermic infertile patients aged 26–44 years, and investigated the relationship between these parameters and genetic mutations. Results: As a result of this research, among 26 patients, INSL3 (insulin-like peptide 3) gene mutation, which is considered pathogenic according to the criteria published by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) was detected in 1, FSHR (follicle stimulating hormone receptor) gene polymorphism in 17, CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) mutations in 5, CATSPER1 (cation channel sperm associated 1) and TEX101 (testis expressed 101) in 1, LHCGR (luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor) in 1, ZMYND15 (zinc finger mynd-type containing 15) in 1, DNAH5 (dynein axonemal heavy chain 5) in 2, and DNAH11 (dynein axonemal heavy chain 11) changes in 1 patient. In the chromosome analysis, 47XXY Klinefelter syndrome was observed in 6 patients. Conclusions: The results have shown that non-obstructivea zoospermic patients with complaints of infertility may have other genetic abnormalities leading to infertility, despite the results of chromosomal analysis of the peripheral blood samples were within normal reference limits. Investigating these underlying genetic disorders helped us find the cause of infertility in ourpatient population.

Abstract Management of melanoma has changed significantly with the discovery of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Our aim in the study is to determine which treatment alternatives, specifically dabrafenib plus trametinib and ICIs, are effective in adjuvant therapy and which treatment is effective as first-line metastatic therapy. This retrospective, multicenter study included 120 patients diagnosed with stage IIIB-IIID melanoma receiving both adjuvant and first-line metastatic treatment between 2007 and 2023. Data on clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment regimens and outcomes were collected. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Patients treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib as adjuvant therapy had the longest relapse-free survival (RFS) (median: 8.3 months), followed by those treated with interferon (4.1 months) and nivolumab (1.9 months) (p = 0.002). Metastatically, the highest ORR was observed in patients treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib (54.5%), followed by ICI (52.0%) and chemotherapy (33.3%). Similarly, DCR was superior for dabrafenib plus trametinib (86.3%) compared to ICI (70.8%) and chemotherapy (66.6%). Median PFS was 9.7 months (95% CI 7.2–12.2 months) in the whole group. This was 14.3 months (95% CI 9.6–19.0 months) with ICI, 10.3 months (95% CI 4.2–16.4 months) with BRAF/MEK inhibitors and 6.3 months (95% CI 4.7–7.9 months) with chemotherapy, which was statistically significant (p 6 months, ORR are all independent factors for OS prognosis. In our study, dabrafenib plus trametinib combination was more effective in adjuvant treatment of melanoma, while immunotherapy was more effective in metastatic first-line treatment.

Temel okuryazarlık becerilerinin ilkokul düzeyinde kazanılması 21. yüzyılda başarı için kritik öneme sahiptir. Dört temel dil becerisinden biri olan ve okuryazarlığın temelini oluşturan yazma becerisinin geliştirilmesi, ilkokul öğrencilerinin akademik başarılarının artırılması ve günlük yaşamda etkili iletişim kurabilmelerinin sağlanması açısından önemlidir. Bu araştırmada ön test-son test kontrol gruplu yarı deneysel desen kullanılarak, kahramana engel oluşturmaya dayalı bir hikâye haritası kullanılmasının ilkokul öğrencilerinin anlatı yazma becerilerine etkisi incelenmiştir. Bu hikâye haritası araştırma için özel olarak geliştirilmiş ve test edilmiştir. Araştırmanın örneklemini bir devlet okulunda öğrenim gören 51 dördüncü sınıf öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Müdahale sürecinde deney grubuna 8 haftalık bir program uygulanırken, kontrol grubuna 8 hafta boyunca hikâye edici metin yazma görevi verilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda yazma öncesi stratejilerinin ve hikâye haritasının önemi bir kez daha vurgulanmış, özellikle girişim unsuruna odaklanmanın hikâye edici metinlerin diğer unsurlarına da olumlu etkisinin olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Son olarak uygulayıcılara ve araştırmacılara yönelik önerilere yer verilmiştir.

1789 yılında Fransız İhtilali’nin etkisiyle ortaya çıkan milliyetçilik fikri Osmanlı Devleti gibi çok uluslu devletlerin parçalanmasına sebep olur. Söz konusu fikrin Osmanlı Devleti’ndeki en belirgin yansıması Birinci ve İkinci Balkan savaşlarıyla Osmanlı Devleti’nin Balkan coğrafyasının neredeyse tamamına yakınını kaybetmesidir. Bu iki savaşın hemen ardından patlak veren I. Dünya Savaşı, Osmanlı Devleti’nin bu savaştan yenilgiyle ayrılması ve sonrasında gelişen siyasi, ekonomik ve sosyal gelişmeler kaçınılmaz olarak edebî ilginin de savaş sonrası koşullara yönelmesine sebep olur. Dolayısıyla yeni sınırlarla beraber milliyetçilik fikri etrafında beliren Türk edebiyatında Balkanların ihmal edildiği görülür. Ancak Balkanlarda yaşanan siyasi gelişmelere bağlı olarak bölgeden Türkiye’ye göçlerin başlaması, Balkan ülkeleri arasında Balkan Konferanslarının düzenlenmesi ve 1934 yılında imzalanan Balkan Antantı ile Türk edebiyatının Balkanlara yöneldiğini söyleyebiliriz. Gerek sanat ve edebiyat dergilerinde Balkanlara yönelik yayımlanan gezi yazıları, makaleler, şiirler ve hikâyeler gerek müstakil olarak yayımlanan romanlar bu yönelişin somut göstergeleridir. Bu kapsamda Üsküp doğumlu Yaşar Nabi Nayır, Balkanlarda yaşanan gelişmeler sonrası Varlık dergisinde hem Balkanların hem Balkan Türklerinin mevcut durumlarını anlatan makaleler kaleme alır. Birçoğu Yaşar Nabi Nayır’ın Balkan seyahatindeki gözlemlerine dayanan bu makaleler daha sonra 1936 yılında Ulus Basımevi tarafından Balkanlar ve Türklük adıyla kitaplaştırılır. II. Dünya Savaşı’ndan sonra değişen yeni dünya düzeninde tekrar Balkanlara giden Yaşar Nabi Nayır, bu seyahatindeki gözlemlerini birçok farklı dergide yayımlar. Daha sonra bu yazıları 1973 yılında Varlık Yayınları tarafından Değişen Dünyamız ismiyle kitaplaştırılır. Söz konusu iki eser incelendiğinde yazarın Balkanlara yönelik düşüncelerinin değiştiği fark edilir. Bu makalenin amacı Yaşar Nabi Nayır’ın bu iki eserindeki Balkan izlenimlerinin ve düşüncelerinin neden ve nasıl farklılaştığını açıklamaya çalışmaktır.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) failure in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) diagnosed in the emergency department. METHODS: This study was prospectively conducted at the Ege University Faculty of Medicine ED between February 19, 2021 and December 01, 2021. Patients who received NIMV with ACPE were included. Patients’ clinical and laboratory parameters, treatments, NIMV mode, and settings were recorded. The primary endpoint was NIMV failure (intubation within 24 h). Secondary endpoints were early NIMV failure, early mortality (within 24 h), and in-hospital mortality. Early NIMV failure was defined as follows: if the patient had a respiratory rate of more than 25 per minute, oxygen saturation below 90%, PaCO2 >50 mmHg in blood gas, and pH 40.5, systolic blood pressure 5.2 mmol/L, base excess 3007 pg/mL (respectively area under the curve values; 0.723, 0.693, 0.739, 0.721, 0.690, 0.698, and 0.616). CONCLUSION: Signs of hypoperfusion such as low systolic blood pressure (5.2 mmol/L) are risk factors for NIMV failure. Evaluation of initial vital signs and arterial blood gas parameters is significantly important for prediction of NIMV success in ED.

OBJECTIVES: Delivering chest compressions (CCs) at the targeted depth and rate is a crucial aspect of maintaining the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Although administering CCs on a firm surface is recommended, it may not always be feasible. This study aimed to determine whether the underlying surface affects CC depth and rate using a real-time feedback device. METHODS: An observational study was conducted on a manikin (ResusciAnne; Laerdal). 25 volunteer emergency medicine physicians performed 2 min of continuous CCs without feedback on the floor, emergency department stretcher (EDS), and ambulance stretcher (AS). The following day, all participants performed an additional 2 min of CCs while receiving audiovisual real-time feedback (ZOLL M2 series). Compression depths and rates were measured and recorded in a real-time feedback device. RESULTS: A total of 150 CC intervals were analyzed. The mean values of compression depths and rates on all surfaces are within the targeted range for high-quality CPR, except for the mean depth without feedback on the EDS (mean: 6.37 cm). There were a statistically significant difference, with both AS and EDS were achieved deeper compressions than those on the floor (P < 0.05). When examining the mean compression depths on three different surfaces with feedback, no statistically significant difference was observed. However, CCs performed without feedback on both AS and EDS were statistically significantly deeper than those on the floor. The mean compression rates both on the floor and the AS were statistically significantly faster compared to EDS. When examining the mean compression rates during CCs performed on three different surfaces with feedback, no statistically significant difference was observed but in the without feedback compressions, both on AS and floor were found to be statistically significantly faster than EDS. CONCLUSIONS: CC’s depth are influenced by the underlying surface. It appears more feasible to minimize surface-related differences while maintaining appropriate targets for depth using real-time feedback devices. The mean compression rate could be kept within the targeted range regardless of the surface.

Abstract Background Increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory dysfunction may be important across the psychotic spectrum. In this study, we investigated whether there is a difference between different diagnostic groups, in which psychosis is the common pathway, and healthy controls in markers of peripheral inflammation, such as platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), determined by haemogram. Our hypotheses are as follows: patients with a common history of psychosis but with different diagnoses have higher severity of peripheral inflammation compared to healthy controls, regardless of the specific diagnosis. In addition, the severity of peripheral inflammation is similar across different diagnoses across the psychosis spectrum. Results Before and after correction for age and sex, there was no statistically significant difference in PLR between the groups. However, a substantial statistical difference in NLR and SIRI was observed between the groups. According to the post hoc analysis performed to determine which groups the difference was between, schizophrenia and the healthy control group, schizoaffective disorder and the healthy control group, and autism spectrum disorder and the healthy control group differed in terms of NLR; there was only a significant difference in SIRI between autism spectrum disorder and the healthy control group. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between groups for SII before and after correction for age and sex; however, when paired groups were evaluated using post hoc analysis, no statistically significant differences were found between any two groups. When comparing disorder groups within the psychotic spectrum, it was observed that PLR, NLR, SIRI, and SII levels were comparable. Conclusions Our results showed that several disorders including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and autistic spectrum disorder, with different diagnoses but similarities in terms of a history of psychosis, had increased inflammation compared to healthy controls. This study contributes to the psychosis spectrum approach in that there was no statistically significant difference in the severity of inflammation in disorder groups with a history of psychosis but with different diagnostic categories. However, further research is needed to completely understand the psychosis spectrum, as bipolar disorder patients have similar inflammation levels to those without mental disorders.

Abstract Blood vessel formation relies on biochemical and mechanical signals, particularly during sprouting angiogenesis when endothelial tip cells (TCs) guide sprouting through filopodia formation. The contribution of BMP receptors in defining tip-cell characteristics is poorly understood. Our study combines genetic, biochemical, and molecular methods together with 3D traction force microscopy, which reveals an essential role of BMPR2 for actin-driven filopodia formation and mechanical properties of endothelial cells (ECs). Targeting of Bmpr2 reduced sprouting angiogenesis in zebrafish and BMPR2-deficient human ECs formed fewer filopodia, affecting cell migration and actomyosin localization. Spheroid assays revealed a reduced sprouting of BMPR2-deficient ECs in fibrin gels. Even more strikingly, in mosaic spheroids, BMPR2-deficient ECs failed to acquire tip-cell positions. Yet, 3D traction force microscopy revealed that these distinct cell behaviors of BMPR2-deficient tip cells cannot be explained by differences in force-induced matrix deformations, even though these cells adopted distinct cone-shaped morphologies. Notably, BMPR2 positively regulates local CDC42 activity at the plasma membrane to promote filopodia formation. Our findings reveal that BMPR2 functions as a nexus integrating biochemical and biomechanical processes crucial for TCs during angiogenesis.

Classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) are two fundamental approaches used in scale development research. Although CTT is the preferred methodology in scale development research in the Republic of Turkey, the IRT methodology has started to gain traction in recent years. In this study, we used the systematic review methodology to review scale development research in Turkey that used the IRT procedures. Results revealed that most of the studies were conducted in 2017. Most of the studies have a sufficient sample size. Exploratory factor analysis was used more than confirmatory factor analysis. Some studies failed to choose the proper IRT model, report and interpret item parameters, check IRT assumptions, and report and interpret information functions. We recommend some practical considerations to researchers in terms of IRT assumptions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of students with varying levels of reading competence according to their selection of metacognitive methods from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey. The research group consisted of 6,890 pupils from the Republic of Turkey who participated in the PISA 2018 study. The data were analyzed using the multivariate exploratory technique of correspondence analysis. In comparison to developing readers, skilled readers favored the metacognitive processes of summarizing, understanding and remembering, and evaluating believability. Awareness of appropriate metacognitive reading strategies should be emphasized in order to increase the reading comprehension of developing readers.

When considering the characteristics that teachers should have, concepts such as critical thinking, active learning, taking responsibility, evaluation, analysis, self-evaluation and reflective thinking are important. In this context, microteaching and peer assessment methods come to the fore. Microteaching is defined as sharing a part of the course with peers and receiving feedback from peers or advisors. Peer assessment, on the other hand, involves providing constructive suggestions among peers, reviewing, and giving feedback in accordance with predetermined criteria. In this study, pre-service teachers' views on microteaching and peer assessment methods are evaluated. The research was designed in accordance with the phenomenological pattern. The participants consisted of eight pre-service mathematics teachers studying in the Department of Elementary Mathematics Teaching at a university in Turkey. Interviews about microteaching and peer assessment were used as data collection tools. A 14-week microteaching and peer assessment implementation process was carried out with the participants. As a result of this process, pre-service mathematics teachers' perceptions about these concepts were obtained. As a result, the pre-service teachers stated that the application provided positive developments in their cognitive, affective, and psychomotor behaviours and that they gained professional experience.

Classroom sociology is a powerful discipline that helps students develop a sense of identity, achieve success, and experience well-being while building a strong community in the classroom. Teachers who can see beneath the surface and are aware of classroom sociology create a better and more just learning environment for learners, especially in primary education. This study focuses on improving teachers' classroom sociology and social justice awareness. Researchers designed a four-week in-service classroom sociology program for primary school teachers. The program aimed to improve the teachers' awareness and behaviours in terms of classroom sociology and social justice. This applied research was conducted using an in-service program intervention with 12 primary school teacher participants. Data was collected from in-class observations, teacher ethnography notes, participant evaluations, and classroom observations. Initially, participants were more focused on academic performance and teaching routines and largely ignored the social context of the classroom. At the end of the study, teacher participants' awareness of classroom sociology and social justice increased, and both their attitudes towards their students and their teaching methods changed in a positive manner.

In this study, the process of training music teachers working in primary, middle, and high schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Turkey is examined. Within this scope, Higher Education Programs related to Music Education, Pedagogical Formation Education Certificate Program (PFECP) and Student Profile/Quality of Music Education Institutions were investigated to answer three fundamental questions. According to the findings obtained, it has been determined that there is a structure of music education in 16 different faculties with various names, apart from the Music Education program in the Faculty of Education, and students studying in these institutions have the right to be appointed as music teachers by completing the (PFECP). Furthermore, it was determined that the scores of the TYT (Basic Skills Test) determined for admission to 16 different faculties outside the Faculty of Education were very low/insufficient. The education process of the Pedagogical Formation Education Certificate Program does not meet the expected "competencies of the music teaching profession" in training music teachers. In our country, which has a tradition, experience, and accumulation of training music teachers for 100 years, there is a need to re-think and re-imagine the structure and policies of music teacher training in the 21st century. The Ministry of National Education (MONE), the Council of Higher Education (COHE), universities, academicians, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders in music education should take steps to correct the deficiencies, inconsistencies, and contradictions in teacher/music teacher training practices.

The aim of the present study was to examine the factor affecting reading performance of the students in a broad sense. The sample was comprised of a total of 752076 students who participated in PISA studies from OECD member countries during the years of 2000 (n = 159095), 2009 (n = 298454) and 2018 (n = 294527) in which reading literacy was the major domain of interest. The causal relationships were examined by using a series of multiple linear regressions by using IDB Analyzer software which creates syntaxes that replicate the analysis 80 times for each plausible value and calculate the average values by taking into account the student weights as suggested in the PISA manuals. The results revealed that enjoyment of reading (at 91%, 100%, and 56% of countries in 2000, 2009, and 2018, respectively), and index of economic, social, and cultural status (at 81%, 91%, and 91% of countries in 2000, 2009, and 2018, respectively) were ranked among the most significant variables that predict reading literacy in all three PISA cycles. While metacognition was not included in 2000, it was among the most important variables (at 100% of countries) in 2009 and 2018. [This study was presented as an oral presentation at The International Pegem Conference on Education held on 15-18 April 2020.]

Games, which are fun activities, have some benefits for learning environments when used educationally; they play an essential role in children's physical, mental, social, emotional, and language development. Similarly, mind and intelligence games can improve the cognitive abilities of individuals by improving their basic reasoning and problem-solving skills. This qualitative case study examines preservice teachers' views on the use of mind and intelligence games in education and their effects on individuals. Researchers collected the data using a semi-structured interview guide they developed, through focus group interviews with twenty-seven preservice teachers who were enrolled in and completed an elective course offered at the faculty of education in the fall of 2021. According to the findings, preservice teachers mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of mind and intelligence games according to the type of media. The findings showed that mathematics is a more appropriate course for using the mind and intelligence games, followed by primary school courses, psychological counseling, and social sciences courses. The preservice teachers found mind and intelligence games eligible to support primarily cognitive skills involved in remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Furthermore, co-operation and sociability are the skills that were more frequently referred to by preservice teachers, along with other skills, including persistence, achievement motivation, and self-efficacy.

The purpose of the study is to research the assertiveness levels of university students and their attitudes toward physical education course in terms of gender, doing regular sports and academic achievement. The design of the research is descriptive. The sample of the study consists of university students who take physical education and sport course in the first aid and emergency department of Artvin Coruh University in the 2018-2019 academic year. A total of 116 university students with a mean age of 20.64 participated in the study as voluntarily. Physical Education and Sport Attitude Scale was used to measure students' attitudes and the Rathus Assertiveness Inventory was used to measure assertiveness levels. In the study, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the distribution of normality, the Pearson correlation test was used to examine the relationship between students' attitudes towards physical education and sport and assertiveness levels, the independent sample t-test in parametric distributions, the Mann Whitney U test was used in non-parametric distributions. Kruskal Wallis test was used in more than two groups because the distributions are not normal. According to the findings, there was a negative correlation between the assertiveness levels of students and their attitudes toward physical education course. There was a significant difference between the attitudes towards physical education course in terms of gender, on the contrary, there was no significant difference between assertiveness levels in terms of gender. There was no significant difference between assertiveness levels and the attitudes towards physical education course in terms of doing regular sports and there was no significant difference between assertiveness levels and the attitudes towards physical education course in terms of academic achievement. As a result, although there was a negative relationship between attitudes of university students towards physical education and sports course and assertiveness levels, it was observed that attitudes towards the course are more positive in favor of male students. There were no significant differences between the levels of assertiveness and attitudes towards physical education and sports courses in terms of doing regular sports and academic achievement levels.

Perovskite photovoltaics, typically based on a solution-processed perovskite layer with a film thickness of a few hundred nanometres, have emerged as a leading thin-film photovoltaic technology. Nevertheless, many critical issues pose challenges to its commercialization progress, including industrial compatibility, stability, scalability and reliability. A thicker perovskite film on a scale of micrometres could mitigate these issues. However, the efficiencies of thick-film perovskite cells lag behind those with nanometre film thickness. With the mechanism remaining elusive, the community has long been under the impression that the limiting factor lies in the short carrier lifetime as a result of defects. Here, by constructing a perovskite system with extraordinarily long carrier lifetime, we rule out the restrictions of carrier lifetime on the device performance. Through this, we unveil the critical role of the ignored lattice strain in thick films. Our results provide insights into the factors limiting the performance of thick-film perovskite devices.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a common cultural practice, which involves the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. With increasing immigration from regions where the practice is endemic, there has been a growing prevalence of FGM in the United States and other developed nations. However, most medical professionals lack the baseline knowledge regarding FGM and its associated health complications. Given this increasing trend, dermatologists should anticipate an increasing number of patients with a history of FGM in their practice. While some of the obstetric, gynecologic, and psychologic consequences of FGM have been well-reported, the dermatologic findings are less characterized. Thus, this review article aims to provide dermatologists with a fundamental understanding of the prevalence, cultural significance, and health implications of FGM with a focus on the associated dermatological findings and provides recommendations on how dermatologists can address this sensitive matter.

Equipping people with desired behaviors, that is, educating them, has been the most important goal throughout the ages. Today, this phenomenon is becoming more and more complex and its effect is felt more intensely. However, unless a person's behavior develops in a valid and reliable way, it is not possible to reach a longed for life style. A person can be intertwined with all kinds of processes, from the most concrete and simple relationships to the most abstract and complex ones. He is the person who will plan, build, operate the future, distribute products, consume, process nature, take products from it, build houses, schools, roads, dams or all, create or solve problems in objects and phenomena. As such, people must equip with consistent behaviors, that is, with problem-solving knowledge and skills. In this study, a descriptive analysis of the subject has been made and the relationship between education and economic development has been examined.