Search

One of the essential phases in the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (MAS) system, cordierite, has the chemical formula 2MgO• 2 Al2O3 • 5 SiO2. Therefore, cordierite is generally produced from natural raw materials by liquid phase sintering. In this study, dense cordierite and cordierite-based/ZrO2 ceramic composites were produced economically from natural zeolite at a temperature as low as 1250 °C. Phase analyses with XRD and microstructure examinations with SEM/FESEM were performed. The hot salt corrosion behaviour of ZrSiO4 crystals in a cordierite matrix was also tested. It was determined that the addition of ZrO2 to reduce the average grain size had a positive effect on wear and corrosion resistance. Density, porosity, hardness, flexural strength and wear behaviour of the cordierite-based/ZrO2 ceramic composites were determined. In addition, the hardness values of the zirconia free sample, the samples containing 10 and 20 wt.% zirconia were measured as 11.29, 12.60 and 12.91GPa, respectively, while the specific wear rates were identified as 5.097 × 10−3, 6.302 × 10−6 and 3.393 × 10−7 mm3/Nm, respectively. The hardness increased and the wear resistance changed with the addition of zirconia.

The e-learning domain has witnessed a shift from the traditional behavioral approach to an individual centered learning approach based on learning analytics, with the aim of creating personalized and learner sensitive designs. A systematic literature review of 284 articles published between 2011 and 2022 in 133 different journals was conducted to investigate this trend. Bibliometric analyses were performed. The results of the analysis show that there is an increasing trend towards the implementation of learning analytics and the use of these analytics for personalized learning environments. The results also show that the output levels of learning analytics have progressed from description and diagnosis to prediction and perspective building. This has the potential to improve the fields of learning analytics and personal learning environments.

It is considered necessary to support the participation of children socially, and media tools having a significant effect on individuals today should reflect child participation. The aim of this study was to examine the right to participate in cartoons prepared for primary school children. The study was conducted with a descriptive survey model. The sample of this study was determined by criterion sampling and consists of a total of 10 cartoons on the TRT Children's channel for primary school children. The data were collected with a checklist and were analysed with descriptive analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that in the cartoons, child-led participation was the most common level of participation, while collaborative participation was the least common. Furthermore, it was determined that the qualities of participation in cartoons were mostly related, voluntary and respectful and the safe and sensitive to risk were the least.

This study aims to evaluate word callers attending the fourth grade of primary school in terms of rapid naming, verbal working memory, and attention skills, and to examine the effect of the reciprocal teaching approach on the development of word callers' reading comprehension skills. The study group consisted of 25 word callers and 21 independent readers. Fourth-grade students who are at the independent level in word recognition skills and at the level of frustration in reading comprehension skills are defined as word callers. On the other hand, students who are at the independent level in both word recognition and reading comprehension skills are defined as independent readers. According to the findings, difficulties in rapid naming, verbal working memory and attention skills are common characteristics of word callers. On the other hand, with the reciprocal teaching approach applied for 12 weeks, significant improvements were achieved in the reading comprehension skills of word callers. In this direction, it can be interpreted that the reciprocal teaching approach eliminated the difficulties experienced by word callers.

This study investigated (i) the effect of inquiry-oriented laboratory activities on preservice primary school teachers' (PPSTs) achievement in science process skills (SPS) and science teaching efficacy beliefs, and (ii) changes in groups' reflections of SPS in the laboratory reports as they engaged in the activities. There were 71 PPSTs enrolled in a science laboratory course. Of the 71 PPSTs, 61 who completed the Science Process Skills Test and Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale both at the beginning and at the end of the course constituted the sample for the former purpose of the study. On the other hand, 71 PPSTs formed groups to work on the laboratory activities and reports collaboratively, which resulted in a total of 17 groups that were involved in the study for the latter purpose. Findings indicated that PPSTs' achievement in SPS and reflections of SPS in the reports improved in the inquiry-oriented laboratory environment. Furthermore, experiencing the intervention contributed to PPSTs' science teaching efficacy beliefs for instructional strategies, student engagement, and classroom management. Implications for teacher education programs and recommendations for future research are presented.

Measuring students' interest and involvement in classroom activities at all stages of education, from preschool to upper secondary school, provides a better understanding of learning processes that enable the acquisition of abilities specific to a certain field. The purpose of this cross-age study was to investigate primary school students' involvement level in classroom activities. The sample consisted of 560 students studying in the first, second, third, and fourth grades at primary schools affiliated with a city in Turkey's inner Aegean area. The data were collected through "The Demographic Information Form" and "Leuven Involvement Scale". The research revealed that students in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in primary school had a moderate involvement level. It was found that there was a significant difference between the involvement levels of primary school students and the gender, course type, and professional experience of the teacher, but there was no significant difference between the grade levels of the students. It was recommended to use current methods and strategies to increase the level of involvement of students in classroom activities and to make arrangements to improve involvement in the learning environment.

School counsellors who work with children and young people within the education system and have experienced trauma themselves can be significantly affected by challenging events. The current research focussed on understanding the post-trauma needs of school counsellors who continue their work in earthquake-affected regions. A phenomenological design was used in this study. Twenty-two school counsellors who experienced the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude Maras earthquakes in Türkiye in 2023 and are still working in the affected areas were interviewed. The findings showed that the needs of school counsellors after the earthquake could be categorized into three themes: (1) I want practice, not theory, (2) I want hope for myself and (3) I want people for my profession. Specifically, school counsellors reported a need for trauma and crisis intervention training, individual support, supervision and physical resources (e.g. collaboration, accommodation and stationery). The implications for school counselling are discussed.

The study was conducted using a qualitative research method to examine Montessori preschool education practices in Turkiye. The study group consisted of 14 teachers in Montessori classrooms of preschools in the central district of a province in Turkiye. The data were collected with a Structured Classroom Observation Form, Material Control List and Semi-structured interviews. The MAXQDA 2022 software was used for the analysis of teacher interviews. According to the findings, the structure of the Montessori classrooms was generally in accordance with the Montessori philosophy, and there was a sufficient number and variety of Montessori materials in the classrooms. Practical life and mathematics activities were frequently included in the program. The most commonly used materials were sensorial and cosmic field materials. Teachers felt inadequate about Montessori practices. There were problems with the high-class size, mixed age, cost and supply of material. According to teachers, education provides children with self-regulation skills and enables effective learning. In addition, education has some advantages for parents and teachers. Children were bored with the activities, parents had insufficient knowledge of the practices, and teachers had time management problems. Finally, teachers offered recommendations for improving practices.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the reading habits and speaking self-efficacies of prospective teachers. Correlational survey method, which is one of the quantitative research models, was adopted for the study. A total of 114 prospective teachers attending the first grade of Classroom Teaching and Pre-school Education undergraduate programs of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University's Faculty of Education during 2018-2019 Academic Year's spring semester formed the target population of the study. Since the whole of target population was possible to reach, sampling was not applied. "Attitude Scale for Reading Habit" and "Scale for Speaking SelfEfficacy" developed respectively by Gömleksiz (2004) and Katranci and Melanlioglu (2013) were used as data collection tools for the study. For the analysis of the data, Mann-Whitney U Test, which is one of the non-parametric tests, was used in two groups and Kruskal-Wallis H Test was used in more than two groups. Also, Spearman Correlation test was applied to determine the relationship between the reading habits and self-efficacies of prospective teachers. It was found that their attitudes towards the reading habits significantly differ according to their gender and reading frequencies, but not to their branches and library visiting frequencies. Moreover, it was concluded that the prospective teachers' speaking self-efficacies do not significantly differ according to their genders, branches, library visiting frequencies, and reading frequencies.

This study aimed at (i) identifying primary school students' attitudes toward environmental issues based on the perspectives of ecocentrism and anthropocentrism and (ii) inspecting students' attitudes (i.e., ecocentric and anthropocentric) toward environmental issues in relation to gender and grade level. Data were gathered from 40 students through the administration of an interview questionnaire along with pictures concerning questions in the questionnaire. Results demonstrated that most of the participants who held positive attitudes reflected anthropocentric attitudes toward water, paper, and electricity consumption, reusing, and playground preferences whereas ecocentric attitudes toward plants, bugs, and other animals. Besides, half and slightly more than half of the participants with positive attitudes expressed ecocentric attitudes toward residence preferences and environmental pollution, respectively while nearly half of the participants with positive attitudes expressed anthropocentric attitudes toward the mentioned issues. It was also found that with the exception of one environmental issue, participants' attitudes toward environmental issues were not significantly associated with their gender. Additionally, no relation was found between participants' environmental attitudes and their grade level.

Serkan Akdag,1 Aytac Akyol,1 Huseyin Altug Cakmak,2 Aydin Rodi Tosu,3 Muntecep Asker,1 Mehmet Yaman,4 Naci Babat,1 Yasemin Soyoral,5 Muhammed Bilal Cegin,6 Ali Kemal Gur,7 Hasan Ali Gumrukcuoglu11Department of Cardiology, Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty, Van, 2Department of Cardiology, Rize Kackar Government Hospital, Rize, 3Department of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Education and Training Hospital, Istanbul, 4Department of Cardiology, Samsun Education and Training Hospital, Samsun, 5Department of Nephrology, 6Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, 7Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty, Van, TurkeyBackground: End stage renal disease is related to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disorder among hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-sodium dialysate on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels detected by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in patients undergoing sustained HD treatment.Patients and methods: The study included 46 patients who had creatinine clearance levels less than 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 and had been on chronic HD treatment for at least 1 year. After the enrollment stage, the patients were allocated low-sodium dialysate or standard sodium dialysate for 6 months via computer-generated randomization.Results: Twenty-four hour SBP, daytime SBP, nighttime SBP, and nighttime DBP were significantly decreased in the low-sodium dialysate group (P

Serkan Akdag, Hakki Simsek, Musa Sahin, Aytac Akyol, Ramazan Duz, Naci Babat Department of Cardiology, Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty, Van, Turkey Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet-to- lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been shown to be helpful in predicting adverse cardiovascular events. However, to date, in the literature, there have been no studies demonstrating the relationship between EAT, MPV, PLR, NLR, and thromboembolism risk in atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we examined the relationship between EAT, MPV, PLR, NLR, and CHA2DS2-VASc score used for the evaluation of thromboembolism risk in patients with AF.Methods: The study included 96 consecutive patients with AF and 52 age- and sex-matched control subjects. We calculated CHA2DS2-VASc risk score for each patient and measured baseline EAT thickness, MPV, PLR, NLR, left atrial volume index, and left ventricular ejection fraction.Results: The group with high CHA2DS2-VASc score had higher EAT (7.2±1.5 vs 5.9±1.2 mm, P

This study addresses energy consumption and climate change challenges in university campus buildings, focusing on Erciyes University. The research develops a multi-objective optimization model using GAMS software and NEOS Server to enhance campus energy efficiency. The model evaluates various energy-saving measures and their investment costs. Findings indicate that building envelope insulation can reduce heating energy consumption by 35%, while efficient hot water systems and energy-saving technologies can achieve savings up to 75.5%. Model calculations using SCIP and LINDO solvers demonstrate high accuracy, with results differing by only 0.2%. This research provides valuable guidance for university decision-makers in implementing targeted interventions for significant primary energy savings.

This research examined the effects of Turkish banking risks on investor behavior. this context, the period of nine deposit banks covering the period between 2008:Q3-2019:Q3 was analyzed using panel regression estimators. Researchers found that systemic and systematic risks negatively affected investor sentiment in the real sector. The rise in systemic and market risks of banks has led to an increase in investor pessimism. The findings showed that the real sector confidence index can be used as an effective early warning system for financial instability. It has shown that banking sector risks have the potential to spread to the entire economy through real sector investment behavior. The results revealed that stock returns positively affect real-sector investment behavior. Accordingly, positive developments in the stock markets encouraged the real-sector to invest. In the research, the effects of selected macro variables on investor sentiment were analyzed. The forecast results documented that inflation rates, the current account balance, and the VIX uncertainty index negatively affected real-sector investor behavior. On the contrary, it was determined that the effect of the MSCI Europe index on investor sentiment was positive.

This study investigated the effects of Potato Golden Cyst Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) on plant development and tuber yield in naturally infested fields with and without nematicides. The study was arranged in a randomized block design in the Alay district of Niğde province in 2021. In the study 4 varieties (PAE 13-08-07 clone, Ünlenen, Leventbey, Muratbey) developed by Niğde Potato Research Institute and two controls (Desiree and Bettina) were used. 50% emergence time, 50% flowering time, number of stems per plant, plant height, tuber maturation time, number of large tubers in total tuber and tuber yield per hectare were examined in potato varieties. No difference was detected in 50% emergence time, number of stems per plant and 50% flowering time in potato varieties in the nematicide-applied area and the nematode-infested area. Varieties were affected by nematicide application at varying rates in terms of plant height and tuber maturation time. The most significant increase in tuber size and tuber weight was observed as a result of nematicide application in the field infested with Potato Golden Cyst nematode.

This study investigated artisanal fishing activity near sea cages in Güllük Bay in the southeastern Aegean Sea based on dockside sampling with local fishermen. The daily fishing activity of bogue Boops boops gillnetters was randomly observed in the ports of Göltürkbükü, Gündoğan, Yalıkavak and Torba over two fishing seasons, from November to April 2018 and 2019. A total of 18,163 kg of fish were caught in 147 daily operations. The composition of catches from the bogue gillnet fishery comprised 48 species from 30 families, including both fish and invertebrates. B. boops was the most abundant species with 91.9% of the catch, followed by Diplodus annularis, Scomber colias, Trachurus trachurus, Pagellus acarne and Scomber scombrus. The ratio of total bycatch biomass to commercial target species was 1:0.09. The fork length (FL) and weight of the 536 sampled B. boops ranged between 25.5 ± 0.12 cm and 293.6 ± 3.87 g, respectively. The highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) of B. boops occurred in April and averaged 58.83 ± 11.47 kg/1000 m, likely due to an increased catch during its spawning migration to open sea areas in spring.

Fungal endophytes were isolated from the leaves and petioles of Liquidambar orientalis Mill., an endangered species in Türkiye. Plant material was collected from 10 sites in September 2023, yielding 499 fungal isolates, classified into 38 morphological groups. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of ITS and Beta-tubulin regions were conducted on representative isolates. All fungi belonged to the Ascomycota phylum, comprising 11 genera and 26 species across 15 families, with one group unidentified. The most prevalent families were Diaporthaceae (34.9%), Pleosporaceae (23.4%), and Botryosphaeriaceae (22.2%), with Diaporthe eres (15.0%) and Phomopsis sp. (12.4%) being dominant species. Fungal diversity was assessed using Shannon, Simpson, and Chao1 indices, revealing tissue type as the strongest factor influencing species diversity, followed by media and spatial factors. The presence of pathogenic families, such as Botryosphaeriaceae, highlights potential threats to the species. This is the first study to report fungal endophytes in L. orientalis, as well as the first records in Türkiye for several species, including Alternaria destruens, Alternaria alstroemeriae, Stemphylium majusculum, Diaporthe cynaroidis, Pseudopithomyces rosae, Nothophoma variabilis, Cladosporium endophyticum, Cladosporium colombiae, Muyocopron sp., Sphaerulina rhododendricola, Constantinomyces macerans, and Aequabiliella effusa.

Using PEI as an aggregating agent with β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis was investigated with no solid support. PEI, a cationic polymer initiated instant aggregation with the enzyme in solution. The factors affecting the aggregation such as PEI to enzyme ratio, glutar aldehyde for cross-linking and pH were investigated. Aggregation and sedimentation as well as the residual activity of aggregates were effectively dependent on the PEI to enzyme ratios. Easily precipitating aggregates at the ratio of 1/8, PEI enzyme aggregates were able to contain all enzyme in the complexation and displayed 60% of initial lactase activity. The PEI aggregation of enzyme led to enhancements in chemical and physical characteristics compered to free enzyme. The soluble enzyme showed a narrow optimum at about pH 7 while pH optimum of the aggregates extended one pH unit toward the alkaline range. Upon overnight incubation at 40 ºC, aggregated enzyme displayed 30% greater stability on average at all pHs tested. Although the free enzyme showed the highest activity at 40°C, it rapidly lost 50% of its activity at 50°C. In contrast, the aggregated enzyme retained full activity at 50°C and 70% activity at 65°C. With markedly enhanced thermal stability, the half-life of the aggregated enzyme increased from 76 hours to 254 hours at 40ºC. Overall, the simple and rapid aggregation of PEI with the enzyme led to instant and intense clustering, resulting in higher thermal and pH stabilities. This method may potentially offer efficient and cost-effective catalysis in lactase conversion processes.

Bu çalışmada, 36-72 aylık çocukların değer kazanımlarını ölçmek amacıyla “Değerler Bataryası” adlı bir ölçek geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma grubu, 2023-2024 eğitim-öğretim yılında okul öncesi eğitime devam eden 36-72 aylık çocuklardan oluşmaktadır. Araştırma, İstanbul’da bulunan çeşitli okullardan gönüllü olarak katılan 2704 çocuk ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada, kapsamlı bir literatür taraması yapılmış ve bu doğrultuda erken çocukluk döneminde kazanılması gereken değerler belirlenmiştir. Ölçek maddeleri, çocukların bilişsel gelişim seviyelerine uygun olarak hikâyeleştirilmiş ve görsellerle desteklenmiştir. Ölçeğin geçerliliği ve güvenirliği, uzman görüşleri ve istatistiksel analizlerle test edilmiştir. Ölçeğin geçerlik ve güvenirliği Açımlayıcı Faktör Analizi (AFA) ve Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA) ile test edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, ölçeğin 7 faktörlü yapısının doğrulandığını ve tüm maddelerin modelle uyumlu olduğunu göstermiştir. Araştırmanın bulguları, “Değerler Bataryasının” 36-72 aylık çocukların değer kazanımlarını ölçmede geçerli ve güvenilir bir araç olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu araç, her bir değeri ayrı ayrı ölçme imkânı sunarak uygulama kolaylığı sağlamaktadır. Bu ölçeğin, erken çocukluk döneminde değer eğitimi alanındaki çalışmalara önemli katkılar sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.