Search

Coding tools that use blocks to create programs are popular among kids and play a key role in learning how to code. The effectiveness of the coding courses that are available nowadays depends on how well the tools match the students' needs. The aim of this study is to reveal the impact of digital game design-supported coding education with Scratch on gifted students' Scratch academic achievement and self-efficacy. The research was conducted with a one-group pre-test and post-test experimental design. The sample of the study consists of 40 gifted 3rd grade students studying at a Science and Art Center in Türkiye. The Scratch achievement test and the Scratch self-efficacy scale were used as pre- and post-tests before and after the training. The data from the study were analyzed with a dependent group t-test. The post-test scores of the students obtained from the Scratch achievement and self-efficacy scale showed statistically significant increases compared to the pre-test scores. It was revealed that digital game design-supported education contributed positively to students' scratch achievement and self-efficacy in coding.

Instructional leadership has begun to be examined as an essential factor in school development research. It has received considerable attention, especially in developing countries, in recent years. This study examined the relationship between school principals' instructional leadership and teacher instructional practices and the mediating role of teacher professional learning. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in the study, and the participants were 385 elementary and middle school teachers working in a city in western Türkiye. The data were analysed through structural equation modelling. Findings demonstrated that instructional leadership significantly predicted teacher instructional practices and teacher professional learning. Findings also highlighted teacher professional learning as a significant mediator between instructional leadership and teacher instructional practices. This study confirmed that instructional leadership can strengthen teacher instructional practice and professional learning in a centralized education system.

This study investigates the effect of 5E learning model enriched with coding (5EC), gender and their interaction on 4th grade students' mathematics achievements and permanence of their learning. It also examines the effect of the 5EC on participants' attitudes towards mathematics. The study group consists of 119 students. Mathematics achievement test and mathematics attitude scale were used as measuring tools. Experimental group was treated with the 5EC and the control group was instructed with traditional instruction. MANCOVA results showed that the 5EC had a statistically significant effect on the collective dependent variables of the mathematics achievement post-test and mathematics retention test scores. ANCOVA results indicated that although the effect of the 5EC on mathematics achievement post-test scores is significant, it was found as insignificant on mathematics retention test scores. t-test analysis showed that a significant difference was found between students' post-attitude scores on behalf of the experimental group.

This article is the first in a series of three that describes the development and delivery of the Environmental Health and Land Reuse (EHLR) Basic Training and the first pilot of the EHLR Immersion Training. The EHLR Basic Training is based on the 5-step Land Reuse Model from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Through a collaboration with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), we developed the EHLR Basic Training in two modalities: virtual/live (maintained by ATSDR) and online/asynchronous (maintained by NEHA). The modules include: 1) Engaging With Your Community, 2) Evaluating Environmental and Health Risks, 3) Communicating Environmental and Health Risks, 4) Redesigning With Health in Mind, and 5) Measuring Success: Evaluating Environmental and Health Change. From June 2019-August 2022, ATSDR and NEHA delivered 10 EHLR Classroom Basic Trainings, launched the EHLR Online Basic Training, and developed the EHLR Immersion Training. We piloted the EHLR Immersion Training in July 2022, March 2023, and July 2023. Our participants included science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students from Dine College who were in a Summer Intern Program; tribal environmental professionals; NEHA members in environmental health careers; and environmental professionals, students, and community members who were engaged in environmental work or environmental justice. We have learned that individual training modules can be used for specific learning needs among our participants. Perhaps more importantly, we have learned that undergraduate students and community members can and should be engaged in EHLR Training. The results of the evaluation and long-term follow-up of the EHLR Training will be presented in the second and third articles in this series. Keywords: brownfields, Navajo Nation, environmental health, land reuse, environmental training, tribal ecosystem knowledge, Background The definition of brownfields from the U.S. Congress (2002) refers to property of which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse can be complicated by the presence or potential presence of [...]

Abstract Background Intraoperative irrigation with diluted povidone iodine (PI) can be used to reduce the incidence of infection-related complications in arthroplasty surgeries. Since PI is associated with many interventions, especially skin antisepsis, its systemic effects are being studied. The aim of our study is to evaluate the systemic effects of PI, which we use as an irrigation solution, by means of urine iodine and thyroid function tests. Methods In this case-control study, 96 patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty were included and divided into two groups according to the irrigation solution. In the first group, PI was added to the standard irrigation. The second group was considered as the control group and only standard irrigation was applied. Urine iodine, thyroid stimulating hormone, free T3 and free T4 values were compared in the preoperative and postoperative periods of these two groups. In this way, the effect of absorbed iodine on thyroid functions was investigated. Results In the diluted PI group, urinary iodine levels were measured at maximum levels (450 µg/L) in the early postoperative period in most of the patients. The statistically significant difference in urinary iodine levels between the PI group and the control group, which started in the early postoperative period, continued until the last follow-up on the 14th postoperative day. In terms of thyroid functions, the observed differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Studies to reduce periprosthetic infection show that PI can be preferred for irrigation before the closure of the joint area in total joint arthroplasty. Although the success of this treatment in periprosthetic infection has been investigated, its systemic examination has not been demonstrated. It was determined that PI treatment, which was seen to decrease in the systemic circulation within 14 days, did not show a statistically significant change in terms of thyroid functions when used at the determined concentration and duration. These results should be evaluated with larger and longer-term studies. Trial registration Clinical trials ID no. NCT05599841.

Abstract Objective Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are diverse pulmonary disorders marked by diffuse lung inflammation and fibrosis. The variability in characteristics and treatment approaches complicates diagnosis and management. In advanced cases requiring transplantation, determining indications and selecting suitable candidates presents additional challenges. Methods Of all patients with non-IPF ILD between December 2016 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were categorized into two groups: transplanted patients and deceased patients on the waiting list. Clinical data and survival outcomes were compared between groups. Results Of the 43 patients, 20 underwent lung transplantation while 23 died awaiting transplantation. Waiting list mortality was 53.4%, with median waiting times similar between groups (3 months for transplant patients and 6 months for those on the waiting list). There were no significant differences between groups in age, gender, height, BMI, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), or forced vital capacity (FVC). The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) was 76.7% in right heart catheterizations, similar in both groups. One single and 19 bilateral lung transplants were performed. Overall, 13 of the 20 patients survived to discharge from the hospital. One-year mortality was 7/20 (35%). The median follow-up was 34 months, with a 1-year conditional survival of 90.9% at 3 years and 70.7% at 5 years. Conclusions This study underscores the importance of further research into non-IPF ILDs. Lung transplantation remains a viable option that can significantly enhance both the quality and longevity of life for patients with advanced ILD.

Aim: Headaches are a major cause of presentations to pediatric neurology clinics, the majority being primary. Although diagnosis is mostly based on medical history and physical examination, imaging methods and electroencephalography (EEG) are used for differential diagnosis or identifying accompanying conditions. We evaluated cases of primary headache presenting to a newly established pediatric neurology clinic in July-December 2022 and compared their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and EEG findings. Materials and Methods: Individuals presenting with headaches were first classified as primary or secondary headaches, and patients with primary headaches were included as migraine or tension-type headaches (TTH). Two hundred four patients presented but only fifty migraines and 50 TTH patients, who had EEG and MRI, met the study criteria. Results: Greater photophobia, phonophobia, and family histories were present in the migraineurs, while attack frequencies were higher and durations shorter in the TTH group (p=0.025, p=0.001, respectively). Pain was generally throbbing in character in the migraine patients and compression in the TTH cases. No pathology was encountered in the MRIs of 90% of the migraine patients and 94% of the TTH group. While no pathology was detected at EEG in most cases, sharp spike-wave activity was determined in 10% of the migraine patients and in 2% of the TTH group. Conclusion: MRI and EEG are not generally required in the diagnosis of primary headaches once a detailed history and physical examination have been performed. While the majority of brain MRI requests are of no particular diagnostic value, unnecessarily requested EEGs can lead to misdiagnoses. It is crucially important to ensure that patients are closely monitored and that unnecessary requests are avoided.