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This study presents a systematic review of the literature on STEM education. We investigated the trends of STEM education, as well as its main advantages and challenges in K-12 settings. A total of 118 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2021 in refereed journals were included in the analysis. The findings indicate a steady increase in the number of STEM studies over the past nine years. The dominant discipline on the studies is science, while the most common level of education is upper secondary education. Most STEM interventions take place in formal settings and uses mixed research methods. The most popular educational material is simple tools, and the most measured variable is learner achievement. The most reported advantage is that STEM education helps develop of 21st century skills. On the other hand, the most reported challenge is that STEM activities are difficult to design. Further, the study discusses other advantages and challenges in detail, to map the opportunities and difficulties for students, teachers, and researchers. Finally, the study highlights some research gaps, as well as some suggestions for future research.

The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a course according to a STEM education approach for pre-service science teachers. The study was conducted in three phases according to an educational design research method: preliminary research, development or prototyping, and assessment (Plomp & Nieveen, 2013). The STEM education pre-knowledge form, STEM lesson plans, the STEM lesson plan evaluation form, STEM self-evaluation, and peer-evaluation forms, and a semi-structured face-to-face interview form were used as qualitative data collection tools. Data were analyzed by methods of content analysis. The results suggest that pre-service science teachers need education in the dimensions of the theoretical structure of STEM education, STEM disciplines and integration, 21st-century skills, sample STEM activities, current science curriculum, STEM learning/teaching methods and techniques, measurement and assessment for STEM education, collaboration with peers, and planning-implementing a lesson according to STEM education. The findings showed that the STEM course design developed through this study was seen to be effective in responding pre-service teachers' needs. In STEM course design, six activities were prepared in the context of designing a 21st-century house and designing a vehicle according to the trans-disciplinary model and hands on minds on method. According to the relevant literature, the findings were discussed and future studies should provide collaboration with pre-service teachers, students, and in-service teachers. Future studies should also focus on developing the knowledge and skills of pre-service teachers about engineering and technology discipline and show how to integrate these disciplines into their real-life problems.

This study employs mixed methods, integrating demographic variables to analyze public space space usage in child ergonomics Utilizing Space Syntax and Pierre Bourdieu’s theory within the framework of inclusive public space, it explores the relationship and needs between ergonomics and the socio-demographic statuses of children. The research applies an analytical approach based on Bourdieu’s focus on spatial capital to compare neighborhoods with varying socio-demographic characteristics in Istanbul’s Umraniye and Kadikoy districts. A critical spatial analysis emerges from comparing 14 public spaces in Umraniye’s Cakmak neighborhood (CS1) with a public area in Kadikoy’s Suadiye neighborhood (CS2). Methodologically, the study includes weekday (day 1) and weekend (day 2) field observations, Space Syntax analysis, TSI 2022 demographic data, digital maps, and anthropometric measurements specific to children aged 7–11. This effective mixed methodology provides a notable comparative spatial examination in child ergonomics research, highlighting clear disparities between the public spaces in CS1 and CS2.

Abstract Purpose To find the machine learning (ML) method that has the highest accuracy in predicting the semen quality of men based on basic questionnaire data about lifestyle behavior. Methods The medical records of men whose semen was analyzed for any reason were collected. Those who had data about their lifestyle behaviors were included in the study. All semen analyses of the men included were evaluated according to the WHO 2021 guideline. All semen analyses were categorized as normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and asthenozoospermia. The Extra Trees Classifier, Average (AVG) Blender, Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) Classifier, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) Classifier, Logistic Regression, and Random Forest Classifier techniques were used as ML algorithms. Results Seven hundred thirty-four men who met the inclusion criteria and had data about lifestyle behavior were included in the study. 356 men (48.5%) had abnormal semen results, 204 (27.7%) showed the presence of oligozoospermia, 193 (26.2%) asthenozoospermia, and 265 (36.1%) teratozoospermia according to the WHO 2021. The AVG Blender model had the highest accuracy and AUC for predicting normozoospermia and teratozoospermia. The Extra Trees Classifier and Random Forest Classifier models achieved the best performance for predicting oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia, respectively. Conclusion The ML models have the potential to predict semen quality based on lifestyles.

Abstract Background It is aimed to compare the block onset times and performance features of costoclavicular techniques (medial and lateral approach) versus lateral sagittal technique. Methods Patients were randomized into three groups. For costoclavicular techniques, ultrasound probe was placed parallel to clavicle obtaining nerve cords, axillary artery and axillary vein visual from lateral-to-medial, respectively. The block needle was advanced from lateral (Group CLB) or medial (Group CMB) to perform costoclavicular block. For lateral sagittal technique (Group LSB), ultrasound probe was placed sagittal and perpendicular below the coracoid process to obtain sagittal artery image with the cords around. Total 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 10 ml of 2% lidocaine were deposited for all groups. Sensory and motor block onset times, block performance properties, complications, and patient/surgeon satisfactions were investigated. Results Among 56 patients, the primary outcome, sensory block onset time was shorter in Group CLB than Group CMB and Group LSB (10 [5–15], 10 [10–20], and 15 [10–15] minutes, respectively, p

The World Health Organization (WHO) published the first laboratory manual in the 1980s and this has been updated several times since. The sixth version of this manual, the latest to be issued, was published in 2021. In the sixth version, the distribution of semen parameters was given instead of the reference level and some parameter limits were decreased or increased. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the new 2021 WHO semen analysis reference values by reclassifying previous semen analysis parameters. All semen analyses performed between 01 July 2021 and 01 September 2023 were collected retrospectively. Semen volume, sperm concentration (×106/mL), total sperm motility (%), and progressive sperm motility (%) were evaluated according to 2010 and 2021 WHO semen analysis reference values. Then, the percentile changes of the normal (at or above the reference limits) results of each parameter and overall semen parameters were evaluated. 2535 spermiograms were included in the study. According to the 2010 WHO criteria, 42.99% of semen specimens were at or above the reference limits for all parameters whereas, samples with all parameter values at or above the 2021 WHO reference limits were 43.55%. It was found that the number of each semen parameter that were recategorized due to the new limits for volume, sperm concentration, progressive, and total motility were 0.9%, 1.1%, 3.2% and 2.8%, respectively. 29 semen results (1.1%) that had all parameter values at or above the new reference limits were reclassified as a normal spermiogram based on the new 2021 criteria. The 2021 WHO semen reference limits do not influence the percentile of men who require infertility treatment.

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to investigate science teachers' views about the nature of science (NOS); and second, to examine science teachers' views about their NOS integration into instruction. Reconceptualized family resemblance approach to nature of science (RFN) is used as a theoretical and analytical framework. The participants of this study included 13 in-service science teachers in Turkey, and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. It is noticed that teachers used scientific practices and scientific methods interchangeably. Participants provided detailed explanations regarding the social-institutional system of science. Participants' views and interpretations were compatible with the RFN framework, which can show that they were aware of the social aspect of science. Concerning the NOS integration into instructions, findings revealed that teachers who had spent more time on NOS tended to include or thought it is important to include NOS into science lessons. Based on the results, it is suggested that the RFN framework can be used as both an analytical and theoretical framework to investigate teachers' understanding of NOS.

Distance learning is one of the means of education used in various levels, from primary school to college. However, distance learning in architectural education differs from other disciplines, as architectural education is design-based with predominantly applied courses. As the spring semester of the 2019/20 academic year had to continue online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it remained uncertain whether or when face-to-face (FtF) education will start till the end of the term, the necessity to focus on online education suddenly raised in architectural faculties. This study aims to start a discussion on how to proceed with online architectural education, focusing on quality, defining the fundamentals, and proposing suggestions within this scope. In order to achieve this aim, research on the evaluation of the existing distance learning platforms of universities, the differences between the implementations of theoretical and applied courses, the advantages and disadvantages of the process are made. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature review on universities that provide fully online, hybrid and conventional (FtF) education throughout the world is conducted, given and discussed in the paper. After the research on ongoing processes, a case study to determine the experiences, opinions and approaches of students and academic staff with the scope of emergency remote teaching is designed and conducted. Together with the findings of the review and the case study, the challenges, strengths and opportunities of online architectural education are discussed and evaluated with a focus on maintaining and raising the quality of the education. In conclusion, suggestions and proposals are made and presented to be applied and developed in architecture faculties' future online education experiences.

This study aimed to examine self-regulation skill of 4-6-year-old children regarding digital media usage. The data were collected through the questionnaire, which includes self-regulation skills of 4-6-year-old Children (Mother Form), and the demographic information section was filled by 911 volunteer mothers who live in Turkey. Children's digital media usage was examined in terms of the amount of time spent with digital media tools, the types of digital media tools used, and which content was preferred. Analysis of the results clearly showed that the more time children spent using digital media the more likely they were to have lower level of self-regulation. In addition, children who did not use smartphones exhibited higher levels of self-regulation than those who did. Moreover, preferring horror or violent content was associated with the low level of children's self-regulation. On the other hand, children's preference for educational and foreign language content on digital media appeared to be related to a high score in self-regulation. The study results show a relationship between digital media usage and self-regulation skill. The study suggests that children's amount of spent time with digital media tools might be limited, the content might be controlled, and types of digital media tools might be carefully chosen. Parents have an important role here. They should be aware that improper digital media usage is harmful to children's self-regulation skill.

Assessing students' online learning readiness is important since numerous countries have started online learning at all education levels during the COVID-19 pandemic in the 21st century. By taking students' online learning readiness level into account, it will be easier to establish on-target online learning environments. Although there are a number of online learning readiness scales available aiming at higher-education students in the Turkish setting, there is no scale available specifically for high-school students. This study, therefore, aims to develop a valid and reliable scale to identify the levels of online learning readiness for high school students in Türkiye. In order to develop an Online Learning Readiness Scale for high school students, a mixed-method exploratory sequential design was employed in this study. The first sample consisted of 916 students and the second sample consisted of 323 students who had previously experienced an online learning environment. The data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Validity and reliability evidences were also provided. The final version of the scale consisted of a total of 16 items in three dimensions; namely, computer self-efficacy, internet self-efficacy, and self-learning and explained 65.76% of the variance. The results of the study indicate that the Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS) developed in this particular study is a reliable and valid measurement tool in the assessment of online learning readiness levels of high school students in Türkiye and is expected to guide researchers and practitioners who focus on assessing high school students' online learning readiness levels.

Abstract Heteroatom doping of graphene is a powerful approach to develop high‐performance Li and Na ion battery anodes. In this study, silicon‐nitrogen co‐doped graphene (Si−N−GN) nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a rational and scalable solvothermal process. The performances of Si−N−GN in Na+ and Li+ half‐cells were investigated in detail by advanced electrochemical techniques and the obtained results were analyzed in terms of Si−N−GN surface properties, reaction kinetics, and electrode/interface interactions. Si−N−GN exhibited a superior capacity of 540 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 for Li+ and improved rate capability for both Li+ and Na+ which are linked with the increased interlayer spacing and enlarged graphene sheets upon Si‐doping. Importantly, the capacity increased with the number of cycles owing to surface electron density redistribution and Si−N−GN/SEI interactions, supported by DFT.

The aim of this study is threefold: (1) to present a valid and reliable scale in the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model; (2) to reveal factors affecting pre-service science teachers' intentions to use technology-based STEM; (3) to examine the effect of technology-based STEM education training on pre-service science teachers' perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention. This study has two sections. Study 1 defined the reliability and validity of the Technology Based-STEM Intention Scale (TB-STEMIS) in the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with pre-service science teachers in Turkey. Study 2 examined the pre-service science teachers' intentions to use technology-based STEM and the impact of technology-based STEM education training on pre-service science teachers' intentions concerning the TAM model. The results of the study revealed that the proposed model tested after STEM training is superior to the before STEM training. Findings also indicated that technology-based STEM education training had a positive effect on pre-service science teachers' perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use the technology-based STEM education. Finally, implications were discussed and recommendations were found for further studies in line with the limitations.

Bacteriological studies of well water mainly focus on aerobic and facultative aerobic coliform bacteria. However, the presence of obligate anaerobic bacteria in well water, especially sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), possible causative agents of some diseases, is often ignored. In this study, the presence of SRB and coexisting anaerobic bacteria with SRB in sulfate-reducing enrichment cultures obtained from 10 well water samples in Istanbul was investigated. A nested polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis strategy was performed to characterize the bacterial community structure of the enrichments. The most probable number method was used to determine SRB number. Out of 10, SRB growth was observed in only one (10%) enrichment culture and the SRB number was low (

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of demographic data and comorbid diseases on the prognosis and treatment diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC). Methods: Medical records of LSCC patients treated and followed up in a single referral center between 2008 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. In addition to the demographic data, the results of overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional-free survival (LRFS), and factors affecting recurrence were analyzed. Results: We included 573 patients with a mean age of 60.1±9.8 years. Of the 573 patients, 94.2% (540) were men, 93.7% (537) were smokers, 40.1% had at least one comorbid disease, and 69.8% (400) presented with glottic LSCC. The five-year OS, DSS, DFS, and LRFS rates for all cases were 65.7%, 79.9%, 67%, and 74.7%, respectively. In early-stage LSCC treatment, the rates of OS (p=0.008), DFS (p=0.024) and LRFS (p=0.01) were statistically significantly higher in the endolaryngeal laser surgery (ELS) group compared with the radiotherapy (RT) group. In advanced-stage LSCC treatment, total laryngectomy had statistically significantly higher five-year DFS (p=0.003) and LRFS (p=0.002) rates compared to chemoradiotherapy. Conclusion: Our study showed that ELS provided higher rates of OS, DFS, and LRFS compared to RT in the treatment of early-stage LSCC. Recurrence was significantly higher in supraglottic tumors, advanced-stage tumors, and in patients with clinical N positivity.

Examine the effect of health perception on the health-seeking behaviors of nursing students. This descriptive-correlational study was made with a sample of 314 undergraduate nursing students. The Personal Introduction Form, Health Perception Scale, and Health-Seeking Behavior Scale were used to gather data. Kolmogorov Smirnov normality testing and Q-Q graphs were used to evaluate the data's normal distribution. Descriptive statistics, independent group t-tests, one-way variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis, and Pearson Correlation analysis were used. Additionally, the DunnBonferroni and Tukey tests were used. According to the students' overall health status, between the mean Accuracy sub-dimension scores, a significant difference was found (p

Abstract New selective therapeutics are needed for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the 7th most common cancer. In this study, we compared the cytotoxic effect induced by the release of pH-dependent iron nanoparticles from nitrogen-doped graphene-coated mixed iron oxide nanoparticles (FexOy/N-GN) with the cytotoxic effect of nitrogen-doped graphene (N-GN) and commercial graphene nanoflakes (GN) in Hepatoma G2 (HepG2) cells and healthy cells. The cytotoxic effect of nanocomposites (2.5–100 ug/ml) on HepG2 and healthy fibroblast (BJ) cells (12–48 h) was measured by Cell Viability assay, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. After the shortest (12 h) and longest incubation (48 h) incubation periods in HepG2 cells, IC50 values of FexOy/N-GN were calculated as 21.95 to 2.11 µg.mL−1, IC50 values of N-GN were calculated as 39.64 to 26.47 µg.mL−1 and IC50 values of GN were calculated as 49.94 to 29.94, respectively. After 48 h, FexOy/N-GN showed a selectivity index (SI) of 10.80 for HepG2/BJ cells, exceeding the SI of N-GN (1.27) by about 8.5-fold. The high cytotoxicity of FexOy/N-GN was caused by the fact that liver cancer cells have many transferrin receptors and time-dependent pH changes in their microenvironment increase iron release. This indicates the potential of FexOy/N-GN as a new selective therapeutic. Graphical abstract

This study examined middle school students' scientific reasoning ability in relation to gender and learning environment perceptions. The data were obtained from 269 (148 girls and 121 boys) students. A two-tier multiple-choice test was used to assess students' scientific reasoning ability, while a Likert scale-type self-report questionnaire was used to assess students' learning environment perceptions. Results showed that there was no significant difference between girls and boys regarding their scientific reasoning abilities. On the other hand, students' scientific reasoning ability was found to be positively associated with involvement, task orientation, and teacher support, while it was negatively related to cooperation in science learning environments. Since students spent thousands of hours in classrooms, it is vital to examine and deepen the knowledge about the relationship between the learning environment and student outcomes. The current study presented and discussed considering the context of science education in Turkey; further studies can be conducted in different countries and contexts.

The aims of the study were to understand the pre-service science teachers' experiences about Algodoo Based STEM Education, to define views about it and, to emerge its influences on pre-service science teachers. Accordingly, case study method was utilized in the study. The participants were 30 pre-service science teachers who were fourth grade in a medium-size state university in Turkey. An intervention was performed to inform pre-service science teachers about Algodoo based STEM education during three weeks. The data were obtained from STEM activity plan, STEM activity plan evaluation rubric, and semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed through using descriptive and content analysis techniques together. Algodoo based STEM activity plans were examined by two researchers and evaluated according to the STEM activity plan evaluation rubric. According to the findings, pre-service teachers were planning to use Algodoo software in STEM activity mostly in elaborate stage and on physics topics. Although they have a few difficulties in using Algodoo software, they were aware of the contribution of Algodoo simulations to students, teachers and STEM education. Moreover, they mentioned the positive effects of this intervenion on them such as being happy, increasing motivation, providing professional development. The findings of the study are discussed in line with the related literature and suggestions were given.