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This study examines Bertolt Brecht's theatrical techniques in terms of critical pedagogy and their potential application by critical educators to overcome neoliberalization, neoconservatization, and authoritarization in learning environments. Brecht creates his 'learning plays' in a peculiar form that can be called 'Brechtian dialectics'. Brecht aims to remove the distinction between audience and actors in learning plays and not to teach any doctrine, but to enable them to develop dialectical thinking. In these plays, Brecht deals with current issues, confronting thesis and antithesis, but purposely avoids reaching a final synthesis to maintain dialectical thinking process. Through epic-dialectical theatre, Brecht points out that the illusionist aspect of Aristotelian theatre makes audience passive, therefore he attempts to involve audience in the play with an effective and critical perspective. Brecht realizes this through defamiliarization technique and the effects of historicization and gestus. This study examines Brechtian dialectics as a way of developing dialectical thinking practice and asserts that the authoritarian relationship between teachers and students can be eliminated in a similar vein to the transformation of the relationship between audience and actors in learning plays. The study explores defamiliarization technique as a tool to move away from the existing hegemony, and historicization effect as a way of underlining that history is a process and can be changed by subjects. The study also presents the ways how the gestus effect can be used to create multicultural democratic schools and develop class consciousness. Additionally, the study points out the similarities between Brechtian theatrical techniques and Freireian pedagogical concepts.

ABSTRACT The data required for sustainable forest planning is provided by traditional forest inventories, which are labor, time, and cost‐intensive. Providing this data quickly, reliably, and accurately is crucial for planners and researchers. The objective of this study was to predict stand basal area (BA), stand volume (V), and quadratic mean diameter (dq) by leveraging vegetation indices (VIs) and reflectance (R) derived from Landsat 8 OLI and Sentinel 2 satellite images, along with topographic (T) data obtained from ALOS‐PALSAR satellite imagery. Forest inventory data for a total of 250 sample plots were used for modeling in the study. Stand parameters were estimated using support vector machines (SVM), multiple linear regression (MLR), decision tree (DT), and random forest (RF) algorithms. In modeling V, BA, and dq, both individual and combinations of R, VIs, and T values obtained from satellite imagery were used as independent variables. Using the generated datasets, each of the stand parameters was modeled separately with MLR, SVM, RF, and DT algorithms, and the success of the models was compared to determine the modeling technique and dataset with the highest success for the relevant parameter. The results showed that for each stand parameter, the highest model success was achieved in the combined dataset, which was created by combining all datasets. However, in terms of modeling techniques, the highest success for each stand parameter was achieved with different modeling techniques. The highest success for V is obtained in the model using the SVM method (R2 = 0.78; RMSE = 0.28 m3/ha), the RF method yielded the highest model performance for BA (R2 = 0.70; RMSE = 2.53 m2/ha), and finally, the highest success for dq was obtained in the DT method (R2 = 0.74; RMSE = 0.02 cm). In general, the datasets obtained from Sentinel 2 images showed higher model success than the datasets obtained from Landsat 8 OLI images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Demodex density is known to increase in various immunosuppressive conditions. The relationship between biologic therapy and Demodex density remains unknown. We aimed to investigate whether the density of Demodex mites is higher in psoriasis patients treated with biologic agents compared to treatment‐naive or topically treated patients. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted, comparing psoriasis patients receiving biologic therapy (n = 34) with controls (n = 33). Demodex density was assessed using the standardized skin surface biopsy technique (SSSB). Statistical analysis was performed to compare the densities and prevalence of demodicosis between the two groups. Results: Demodex density was significantly higher in the biologic therapy group compared to the control group on the right cheek (7.29 vs. 0.12/cm2; P = 0.001), left cheek (8.15 vs. 0.24/cm2; P = 0.002), and whole face (average of all four regions: 5.50 vs. 0.80/cm2; P = 0.001). The prevalence of demodicosis was significantly higher in the biologic therapy group on the forehead (35.3% vs. 12.1%; P = 0.043), right cheek (41.2% vs. 0%; P < 0.001), and left cheek (44.1% vs. 0%; P < 0.001). The frequency of cases with demodicosis in at least one localization was higher in the biological therapy group compared to the control group (61.8% vs. 15.2%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Psoriasis patients receiving biologic therapy had a higher Demodex density and prevalence of demodicosis compared to controls. Biologics may lead to an increase in Demodex density by blocking specific cytokines, such as interleukin‐17 and tumor necrosis factor‐α, which play a role in immunity against Demodex. Further research is needed to explore the impact of different biological agents on Demodex density. Plain Language Summary: "Demodex" mites live in human hair follicles, usually without causing any harm. However, when the immune system is suppressed due to several conditions, the Demodex density (Dd) can increase. "Biological drugs" that suppress some immunity elements are used to treat psoriasis. We aimed to determine if Dd increases in 34 psoriasis patients using biological therapies compared to those who do not. Dd on the face was significantly higher in the biological treatment group compared to the controls. The blockage of certain immune system molecules by biological drugs could explain this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Universal History Studies is the property of Sabit Dokuyan 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.)

Byline: Melek. Kayiran, Ayse. Karadag, Gökçen. Alyamaç, Bengü. Cemil, Düriye. Demirseren, Yuhanize. Demircan, Hasan. Aksoy, Sevilay. Kiliç, Esma. Yüksel, Göknur. Kalkan, Sema. Aksaç, Ömer. Kutlu, Sümeyye. Kaksi, Aysun. Aktürk, Sezgi. [...]

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a Kinect-based game called Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier to investigate possible contributions of game-based learning in a virtual language classroom at a state university in Ankara, Turkey. A quasi-experimental design where the treatment group (N= 26) was subjected to kinect-based learning environments, and the control group (N = 26) continued with traditional learning environments was used. All the participants were administered an achievement test as a pre-test, and a post-test. Moreover, the qualitative part of the study included post-study semi-structured interviews with 10 students. The findings showed that there was significant mean difference in student achievement in post-test scores in favor of the experimental group. In addition, the study explored the opinions of the students toward the use of gesture-based computing systems for instructional purposes.The findings suggested some important points to consider while making use of kinect-based games for educational purposes like interaction and learner motivation.

Background/Aims: Physicians frequently encounter skin diseases and provide opinions to their patients regarding dermatology. We aimed to assess the perceptions of physicians regarding skin diseases and to compare dermatologists' and non-dermatologist physicians' understanding of specific dermatological issues. Methods: Through an online form, participants were asked to respond to sentences indicating whether skin diseases are related to the liver or food with options such as "almost always," "mostly," "half-and-half," "less often," and "almost never." Similarly, they were asked to respond to sentences related to avoiding isotretinoin treatment, the tendency of dermatologists to use corticosteroids, and performing allergy tests in acute urticaria with options as "strongly disagree," "disagree," "partly agree," "agree," and "strongly agree." Results: The sentences "skin diseases are of liver origin" and "skin diseases are caused by foods/drinks" received responses of "almost never" or "less often" at a rate of 91.8% and 80.9%, respectively. The total proportions of participants who selected "strongly agree," "agree," or "partly agree" were 53.9% for the statement restricting isotretinoin use and 45.5% for the statement recommending allergy testing in acute urticaria. While 91.8% of dermatologists disagreed with the statement limiting isotretinoin use, 68.3% of non-dermatologist physicians partially or completely agreed. For the statement recommending allergy testing in acute urticaria, 85.8% of dermatologists disagreed, while 55.7% of non-dermatologist physicians partially or completely agreed. Conclusions: The popular belief that skin diseases are caused by the liver or food has no basis among physicians. However, contrary to the literature, non-dermatologist physicians have expressed opinions that isotretinoin should be used as little as possible due to potential harm to the liver and that allergy tests should be performed in cases of acute urticaria. Giving importance to these topics during medical education will contribute to changing physicians' perspectives and ultimately benefit public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Ege Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi 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.)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe training levels related to careers, employment, and influences of "new economy" in small and mid-sized firms. The organizational side of career development behaviors was also a focus of this study. Interviews related to company policies and practices were conducted with 26 employers or managers of small and mid-sized firms located in the OSTIM Organized Industrial Region in Ankara, Turkey. This research found it is rare in small and mid-size companies to offer structured workplace training or career development activities for workers. Managers had more interest in workplace training if their companies were required to have quality assurance certifications, or if the company participated in exporting, was involved in customs procedures, or was in a business that required foreign language skills. Managers indicated very low interest in training related to social, cultural, personal development, and esthetical issues.

Byline: Hasan. Aksoy, Berna. Aksoy, Emel. &#199alikogluSystemic retinoids such as isotretinoin and acitretin are associated with numerous side effects but are therapeutically valuable in dermatological practice. Several studies have reported [...]