Geographical Regions Of Turkey Research Articles

Student Teachers’ Perceptions of Multicultural Education Based on Their Social Media Use

Social media, together with the technological advances, bring a different dimension to the intercultural communication and shape the cultural perspectives and perceptions of individuals. It is seen as an important requirement that student teachers, who will take responsibility for the educational processes that include different cultural structures, should be sensitive to and informed about cultural differences. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the effects of using social media environments on student teachers’ perceptions regarding different cultures. This paper evaluates the perceptions of student teachers regarding multicultural education with respect to their use of social media environments. The study was carried out with 2152 senior student teachers from the education faculties of 10 state universities from each geographical region of Turkey in the fall semester of 2016-2017 academic year. In the study, inferential statistical approach was used to analyze the collected data. The results of the study indicated that the student teachers’ perceptions regarding the outcomes of multicultural education showed a statistically significant difference in terms of their purpose of using social media sites. In addition, the student teachers’ perceptions regarding the influence of university education on multicultural education showed a statistically significant difference in terms of the most frequently used social media site, while their perceptions regarding equality and justice showed a statistically significant difference with respect to the most frequently used social media site as well as with respect to the purpose of using social media sites.

Nonstationarity impacts on frequency analysis of yearly and seasonal extreme temperature in Turkey

Abstract This study investigates the temporal variability in yearly and seasonal extreme temperatures across Turkey using stationary and nonstationary frequency analysis. The analyses are conducted using Generalized Extreme Value (GEV), Gumbel and Normal distributions for minimum and maximum temperatures during historical (1971–2016) and projection period (2051–2100). The future nonstationarity impacts are quantified using a 12-member ensemble of The Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) regional climate models (RCM) based on the worst emission scenario (RCP8.5). The ability to preserve the nonstationarity signals after bias-correction for selected RCMs are also presented. CORDEX ensemble members generally underestimated the temperature across all seven geographical regions of Turkey. The CORDEX-31 (HadGEM2-ES/CCLM) provided the most trustable temperature simulation in each region. GEV and Normal distributions exhibited a closer fit to each other but both distributions showed substantially better fit than Gumbel distribution for temperature extremes. Magnitudes of nonstationarity impacts (30-year return level) show strong spatial and seasonal variability. Notably higher magnitudes are observed for minimum temperature (up to +10 °C) than maximum temperature (up to +4 °C). Such positive impacts are more significant particularly in eastern Turkey for yearly and seasonal scales. This effect shows greater regional variability in the historical period but with increased temperature projection it is more homogenous and larger in the future period for each region. In the long term, nonstationarities, particularly in minimum temperatures might contribute to less snowpack, accelerate the time-shifts towards the earlier days of the year in snowmelt runoff peaks of streams, further dwindle the water availability during the summer season.

Endemic instability of ovine babesiosis in Turkey: A country-wide sero-epidemiological study

Ovine babesiosis is an endemic tick-borne disease of small ruminants in the Middle East, European, and some African and Asian countries, including Turkey. This study assessed whether the endemic status of this disease was stable or instable, which is important for disease control efforts. For this aim, 4115 sheep blood samples were collected from 81 cities in the seven geographical regions of Turkey. The diagnosis of Babesia ovis was made using microscopic and serological techniques. Thin blood smears were prepared from anticoagulated venous blood. Serum samples were screened for specific antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Recombinant Babesia ovis secreted antigen 1 (rBoSA1) was used in the ELISA. The antigen slides used in the IFAT were prepared from the B. ovis-infected blood at a high level of parasitemia (5 %). The animals were divided into three groups according to their age: group I (one to six months), group II (6–12 months), and group III (older than one year). The endemic status of B. ovis was determined according to the inoculation rate (h value) calculations. Babesia spp. merozoites were observed in 40 (0.97 %) of the slides. Seropositivity rates were 29.89 % (1230/4115) and 49.16 % (2023/4115) by the ELISA and IFAT, respectively. According to the IFAT results, 31.7 %, 33.6 %, and 52.8 % of the animals were seropositive in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The inoculation rates of the animals indicated that the endemic status of ovine babesiosis was mostly instable throughout the country. Endemic stability was found only in group I from four regions (Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, and Mediterranean). Based on these results, the risk of clinical infection due to tick infestation was high when the maternal immunity and non-specific age resistance weakens or disappears. Thus, vaccination is needed to protect sheep against B. ovis infections in Turkey.

NT-proBNP level in stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease and mortality in long-term follow-up: HAPPY study subgroup analysis.

This was an investigation of the relationship between the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and mortality in patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was designed as a subgroup analysis of the Heart Failure Prevalence and Predictors in Turkey (HAPPY) study. The HAPPY study included 4650 randomly selected individuals from the 7 geographical regions of Turkey. A total of 191 subjects from the original cohort with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.1.73 m² were enrolled in this study and the relationship between NT-proBNP and mortality was investigated. Prognostic variables for total and cardiovascular mortality were also examined using Cox regression analysis. The mean length of follow-up was 76.12±22.45 months. The mean NT-proBNP level was 423.54±955.88 pg/mL. During follow-up, 51 subjects (26.7%) died from any cause and 36 subjects (18.8%) died from a cardiovascular cause. The presence of hypertension (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-3.50; p=0.048), anemia (HR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.20-5.15; p=0.014), male gender (HR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.44-4.86; p=0.002) and log NT-proBNP (HR: 4.93; 95% CI: 2.83-8.58; p<0.001) were independent variables for total mortality. The presence of hypertension (HR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.09-5.56; p=0.029), male gender (HR: 2.79; 95% CI: 1.38-5.62; p=0.004), eGFR (HR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.98; p=0.005) and log NT-proBNP (HR: 6.31; 95% CI: 3.11-12.81; p<0.001) were independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality. NT-proBNP was found to be an independent prognostic marker in patients with stage 3-4 CKD.

Issues and Challenges with Web-Based Distance Education Programs in Turkish Higher Education Institutes

This study aimed to examine the core issues and challenges with web-based distance education programs in Turkish higher education institutes. Formative research method, which is a qualitative research method in nature, was selected to analyze web-based distance education programs thoroughly. The study group comprised 4 higher education institutes, offering web-based distance education services, located in different provinces of different geographical regions in Turkey, and with varying experiences. The research used interview transcripts from semi-structured interviews, documents (weekly reports, meeting reports, presentations, organization chart, and implementation procedures) shared by the distance education centers, and information gathered from their web sites. Primary research data were compiled from interviews with representatives of the distance education centers managing and upholding distance education services while the documents acquired from these centers were used to verify the interview findings. The study resulted in 9 core issues related to (1) program launching process, (2) legislation, (3) program structure, (4) instructional design, (5) assessment and evaluation, (6) communication and interaction, (7) support, (8) technical issues, and (9) program evaluation.

Consumption and Preferences of Fruits and Vegetables in Turkish Adults

AbstractHigh fruit and vegetable intake is associated with reduced risk of future chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the consumption of fruits and vegetables in adults living in Turkey.The study was performed with selected by random sampling method on total of 7693 individuals, who lives in different geographical regions in Turkey. The research data were obtained through a questionnaire applied in face-to-face interview method in June-September 2017. In the study the consumption status, preferences and daily amount of vegetables and fruits were questioned; height, body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were evaluated. Statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS 22.0 program.33.2% of the participants were male; 66.8% are female. The mean age of the subjects was 34.8 ± 13.2 years and BMI was 25.3 ± 5.0 kg / m2. According to the World Health Organization, 5.1% of individuals were lean, 46.7% were normal, 30.9% were slightly obese and 17.2% were obese. 95.5% of individuals reported that they consume vegetables and 96.5% of them consume fruits. In vegetable consumption preferences, it was determined that 62.9% of the individuals consumed raw vegetables every day, 80.4% of cooked with meat dishes, 85.0% of cooked meatless dishes, and 59.0% of them consumed as roasted at least once a week. Boiled and steamed vegetables are preferred rarely. In fruit consumption preferences, it was found that 58.7% of the individuals consumed fresh fruits every day, 40.9% of dried fruit, 17.0% of compote and 28.0% of fruit juice at least once a week. BMI was found to be significantly higher in individuals who did not consume vegetables and fruits (p &lt; 0.05).Although the majority of the individuals reported that they consumed vegetables and fruits in general, the BMI of 48.1% was above normal. Informative studies are needed to increase the amount and variety of consumption of vegetables and fruits in Turkish adults.

Morphological Structures of Historical Turkish Cities

In this study, morphological structures of the traditional fabrics of cities in Turkey, which have been shaped under the influence of various different cultures and geographical and climatic conditions in the historical process are presented via a mathematical interpretation. In this scope, spatial configuration and morphological structures of the historical cores of a total of fourteen cities selected from the seven geographical regions of Turkey, two cities from each (from the Marmara Region, Edirne and Bursa; from the Black Sea Region, Kastamonu and Trabzon; from the Central Anatolia Region, Sivas and Kayseri; from the Eastern Anatolia Region, Kars and Erzurum; from the Aegean Region, Mugla and Kutahya; from the South Eastern Anatolia Region, Urfa, Mardin and lastly from the Mediterranean Region, Tarsus and Antakya) region were analyzed comparatively using the Space Syntax method. In this method, the cities were analyzed in three main categories using eleven different parameters. These categories are convex space, axial space and syntactic space. Convex space analyzes were made using the paramters of convex articulation, convex deformation of the grid, grid convexity and convex ringness; axial space analyses were made using the paramters of axial articulation, axial integration of convex space, grid axiality and axial ringness; finally, syntactic space analyses were made using the parameters of integration, intelligibility and synergy. In conclusion, it could be said that historical fabrics of the cities in Turkey have synchronous structures, manifest regular reflections, have organic systems compared with the grid systems, and constitute higher intellibility and synergy.

Examining the Relationship Between Student Engagement and Campus Climate: A Case in Turkey

Several variables have been examined in relation to student engagement at universities in the past decades. However, the number of studies conducted especially with larger groups of participants to examine certain variables such as gender, accommodation, transportation to campus, and reasons for university choice is limited. In addition, there is almost no such research carried out in the context of the Turkish society. The study aimed to examine the relationship between student engagement and campus climate with a large group of participants from all over Turkey. The study was carried out using the survey research design. The research sample covered all the geographical regions in Turkey. The sample included 7,802 students in total. In the study, the Demographic Variable Form, Student Engagement Scale, and Campus Climate Checklist were used as the measurement tools. Finally, a significant correlation was found between the university campus climate and student engagement.

Piecewise wet and dry spell duration-number relationship and possible climate change impact identification in Turkey

Wet (dry) spells correspond to successive surplus (deficit) in hydro-meteorology daily, weekly, monthly, or annual records according to above (below) of a given any threshold parameter value such as arithmetic average, median, mod, or quantile precipitation. Researchers generally consider wet (dry) spell durations and their numbers, but this paper also focuses on the climate change impacts. For this purpose, available hydro-meteorological records, obtained from different climatic and geographic regions of Turkey, are divided into two half parts, and the wet and dry spell (month) durations are plotted versus their numbers, where the scatter points appear as decreasing straight lines on semi-logarithmic paper, and their mathematical expressions are in the form of exponential functions. The slopes of these straight lines provide useful information about the climate change impacts on each meteorology station. The physical interpretations and explanations are provided through relevant tables and figures. The application of this procedure is presented for a set of meteorology station monthly rainfall records from different climate regions of Turkey.

Qualitative Study on the Experience of Lotus Birth

ObjectiveTo describe the experiences of women who had lotus births, that is, leaving the umbilical cord uncut so that the placenta remains attached to the newborn until the umbilical cord naturally detaches. DesignDescriptive phenomenological. SettingSeven cities in four geographic regions of Turkey. ParticipantsNine women who experienced lotus birth. MethodsData were collected through semistructured, face-to-face interviews. ResultsOur analysis revealed six themes: Meaning of the Lotus Birth Experience, Decision Making Regarding Lotus Birth, Lotus Birth Process, Perceived Benefits and Disadvantages of Lotus Birth, Reactions to Lotus Birth, and The Future of Lotus Birth. In addition, we created 15 subthemes related to these overarching themes. ConclusionsThe themes we extracted are reflective of the desire for a natural and healthy birth that is experienced as positive and beneficial. Our results contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of lotus birth. Moreover, our findings provide women and all health care providers, especially maternity nurses, with valuable information and increased awareness of lotus birth.

A prospective multicenter study on the evaluation of antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections in intensive care units with clinical and environmental features

BackgroundMultidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii infections are considered as emerging nosocomial infections particularly in patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs). Therefore, reliable detection of MDR strains is crucial for management of treatment but also for epidemiological data collections. The purpose of this study was to compare antimicrobial resistance and the clonal distribution of MDR clinical and environmental A. baumannii isolates obtained from the ICUs of 10 different hospitals from five geographical regions of Turkey in the context of the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients.MethodsA multicenter-prospective study was conducted in 10 medical centers of Turkey over a 6 month period. A total of 164 clinical and 12 environmental MDR A. baumannii isolates were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for amikacin (AN), ampicillin–sulbactam (SAM), ceftazidime (CAZ), ciprofloxacin (CIP), imipenem (IMP) and colistin (COL) by microdilution method and by antibiotic gradient test for tigecycline (TIG). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to determine the clonal relationship between the isolates. The detection of the resistance genes, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51,blaOXA-58,blaIMP,blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA-48 and blaPER-1 was carried out using the PCR method.ResultsThe mortality rate of the 164 patients was 58.5%. The risk factors for mortality included diabetes mellitus, liv1er failure, the use of chemotherapy and previous use of quinolones. Antimicrobial resistance rates for AN, SAM, CAZ, CIP, IMP, COL and TIG were 91.8%, 99.4%, 99.4%, 100%, 99.4%, 1.2% and 1.7% respectively. Colistin showed the highest susceptibility rate. Four isolates did not grow on the culture and were excluded from the analyses. Of 172 isolates, 166 (96.5%) carried blaOXA-23, 5 (2.9%) blaOXA-58 and one isolate (0.6%) was positive for both genes. The frequency of blaPER-1 was found to be 2.9%. None of the isolates had blaIMP, blaKPC, blaNDM and blaOXA-48 genes. PFGE analysis showed 88 pulsotypes. Fifteen isolates were clonally unrelated. One hundred fifty-seven (91.2%) of the isolates were involved in 14 different clusters.ConclusionsColistin is still the most effective antibiotic for A. baumannii infections. The gene blaOXA-23 has become the most prevalent carbapenemase in Turkey. The distribution of invasive A. baumannii isolates from different regions of Turkey is not diverse so, infection control measures at medical centers should be revised to decrease the MDR A. baumannii infections across the country. The results of this study are expected to provide an important baseline to assess the future prophylactic and therapeutic options.

Fossil and Recent Distribution and Ecology of Ancient Asexual Ostracod Darwinula stevensoni (Ostracoda, Crustacea) in Turkey

In order to determine distribution, habitat and ecological preferences of Darwinula stevensoni, data gathered from 102 samples collected in Turkey between 2000 and 2017 was evaluated. A total of 1786 individuals of D. stevensoni were reported from eight different aquatic habitats in 14 provinces in six of seven geographical regions of Turkey. Although there are plenty of samples from Central Anatolia Region, recent form of the species was not encountered. Unlike recent, fossil forms of species were encountered in all geographic regions except Southeastern Anatolia. The oldest fossil record in Turkey was reported from the Miocene period (ca 23 mya). Species occurred in all climatic seasons in Turkey. D. stevensoni showed high optimum and tolerance levels to different ecological variables. Results showed a positive and negative significant correlations of the species with pH (P&amp;lt;0.05) and elevation (P&amp;lt;0.01), respectively. It seems that the ecological preferences of the species are much wider than previously known. Our results suggest that if D. stevensoni is used to estimate past and present environmental conditions, attention and care should be paid on its ecology and distribution.

Project and cost-based evaluation of solar energy performance in three different geographical regions of Turkey: Investment analysis application

In this study, the implementation of photovoltaic system for the evaluation of the solar energy potential of Turkey is presented in comparative. In the application phase, PV system sizing is performed for a designated area. This area consists of 5 sub-production areas and occupies 180,330 m2. The total nominal installed power of the PV system is 8865 MW. Production and financial performance of the system, provided that the equipment used in the system is the same as the operated personnel; Turkey's socio-economic development has been compared for the cities of Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. The regions' annual solar radiation data and their respective optimal solar panel angles; The Pvsyst program was accessed using the relevant literature and GEPA data and annual production calculations were made for the specified cities of the system. The results of the production simulations, the area used (parcel) and the equipment were used to perform financial calculations. In the financial analysis part of the study, all costs incurred during the lifetime of the project were calculated. The return on investment and project Payback times were calculated for the 3 alternatives created. For the three cities, comparisons have been made for annual production and financial performance, and the results of the investments have been investigated.

Zooplankton Biodiversity in Reservoirs of Different Geographical Regions of Turkey: Composition and Distribution Related with Some Environmental Conditions

<div><!--block-->The zooplankton fauna and the relationship with their environmental variables were investigated on the epilimnion layer of the seven reservoirs (Demirdöven, Devegeçidi, Menzelet, Sır, Ömerli, Porsuk, Tahtalı) of different regions (Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia) throughout the summer months (2015) in Turkey. According to the trophic conditions reservoirs varied between oligo- and eutrophic status. Chlorophylla concentration, measured for the estimation of primary production, was determined considerably high along the investigation period. A total of 62 zooplankton species were identified with the contribution of 44 rotifers, nine cladocerans and nine copepods. Except one reservoir, all of the others were dominated by rotifera group, and also in each study site dominant taxa were changed at species level. On the other hand common dominant taxa for all reservoirs was the rotifer Polyarthra vulgaris Carlin, 1943 with 95 % frequency. In terms of zooplankton species, most of the studied reservoirs showed less than 50% similarities, due to their different limnological conditions and different geographic locations. Reservoirs in high trophic conditions in the present study were represented by low species diversity. Water quality in the reservoirs with respect to biological data were determined as ß-mesosaprobic. The using limnological and biological indices to determine water quality were consistent. Densities of main zooplankton groups, and also frequent species of the reservoirs correlated with epilimnion layer depths and total phoshorus concentrations significantly. On the other hand rotifera variation was affected mainly by physical variables (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, conductivity), and crustacean variations were related with total phoshorus. The comperative assessment between limnological variables and zooplankton community in this reservoirs was studied for the first time.</div>

The most recent status of genetic structure of Didymella rabiei (Ascochyta rabiei) populations in Turkey and the first genotype profile of the pathogen from the wild ancestor, Cicer reticulatum

Chickpea is an important legume crop cultivated in many locations of Turkey and wild relatives of chickpea naturally grow in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Ascochyta blight caused by Didymella rabiei is one of the most important limiting factors for chickpea production. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic structures of D. rabiei samples from wild and domesticated chickpea hosts from different geographical regions. For this purpose, D. rabiei was collected from different geographic regions of Turkey between March and June in 2014 and 2015. Besides, some isolates were obtained from the wild chickpea species, C. pinnatifidum and C. reticulatum. Total, one hundred and two isolates of D. rabiei were genotyped using six sequence tagged microsatellite (STMS) markers. According to the results of molecular variance, the pathogen isolates from different geographic regions showed a significant genetic variation, but, most of which were confined within the populations. The total genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.612 for D. rabiei isolates from chickpea over the country. For the first time, D. rabiei from C. reticulatum, which is the wild ancestor of domesticated chickpea was found in the world and the isolates from C. reticulatum were represented with a single genotype. Isolates from C. pinnatifidum were genetically closer to the isolates from Southeastern Anatolia Region. All the isolates were grouped as one genetic population according to the Bayesian algorithm and presented a mixed distribution based on the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) of genetic distances. All the results represented and updated the information about the genetic structure of D. rabiei populations across the country by announcing new information about the isolates from wild relatives. In addition, STMS markers were utilized to test whether allele sizes of microstallite loci change during asexual reproduction in infection period within the host. Thus, the changes in pathogen genotype was traced from seed to seedling. To do tracing, chickpea seeds were treated with two different D. rabiei isolates with known STMS multilocus genotypes. Then, pathogen re- isolations were performed from the plants grown from the infected seeds and these re-isolates were genotyped with the same STMS markers. Allele sizes of re-isolates were different from the parental ones for some of the loci which indicated that microsatellite alleles may have changed during multiple cycles of asexual reproduction through host infection.

The Relationship Between Management Style Perceptions and Motivation Levels of the Employees Working in Provincial Organizations of the General Directorate of Sports

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between management style perceptions and motivation levels of the employees working in provincial organizations of the General Directorate of Sports. The population of the study included the employees carrying on their duties in Provincial Organizations of The General Directorate of Sports, and the sample included totally 407 employees with 112 females and 295 males working in fourteen provinces selected from seven geographical regions of Turkey with a population density representing Turkey. &amp;ldquo;Management Style Scale&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;Motivation Scale&amp;rdquo; were used in the study. The &amp;ldquo;Management Style Scale&amp;rdquo; (MSS) developed by the researcher included the components and subscales as &amp;ldquo;authoritarian management style&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;protective management style&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;supportive management style&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;collaborative management style&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;laissez-faire management style&amp;rdquo;, and &amp;ldquo;intrinsic&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;extrinsic&amp;rdquo; motivation styles developed by Mottaz (1985). T-Test and One-Way Variance Analysis (ANOVA) were used for the analysis of the obtained data. As result, a significant and positive relationship was found between intrinsic motivation and management style sub-dimensions. In addition, a significant and positive relationship was also determined between the dimensions of extrinsic motivation and authoritarian management style and laissez-faire management style.

Geographic Distribution of Multiple Arteries and Veins of 878 Kidney Donors From a Transplant Center in Turkey

AimThe diagnosis and management of multiple renal arteries and veins have gained importance with the increasing number of kidney transplantations and improved techniques in interventional radiology and vascular reconstructions. The aim of this study is to define and to detect the rate of multiple renal arteries and veins in our living kidney transplant donors coming from all parts of our country. MethodsAbdominal computed tomography angiogram findings of 878 kidney transplant donors were analyzed. The presence and the distribution of multiple renal arteries and veins in donors coming from 7 geographic regions in Turkey were noted. ResultsThe presence of multiple renal arteries was observed in 34% (48/141) of patients in the Marmara Region, 36.7% (79/215) of patients in the Black Sea Region, 37.2% (64/172) of patients in the Central Anatolia Region and 36.1% (30/83) of patients in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. The highest incidences of multiple renal arteries were observed in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, affecting 40% (32/80) and 41.9% (26/62) of patients, respectively, while East Anatolia was found to have the lowest incidence, affecting 28% (35/125) of patients. The incidence of multiple renal veins also varied across regions. The highest incidence was observed in the Central Anatolia Region, where 23.3% (40/172) of patients were affected; the lowest was seen in the Aegean Region, where 11.3% (7/62) of patients were affected. In Turkey as a whole, 35.8% (314/878) of patients presented with multiple renal arteries, while the rate of multiple renal veins was found to be 19% (167/878) among our donors. ConclusionsAs 80% of the kidney transplantations performed in Turkey involve living donors, we think it will be useful to have knowledge of not only the presence of multiple renal arteries and veins, but also the distribution of this feature throughout the different regions of the country.

Absence of the mecC gene in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various clinical samples: The first multi-centered study in Turkey

BackgroundmecA is a predefined gene causing methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolates; however, it has been shown that some methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains do not carry this gene. Recently, in isolates found to be MRSA-positive but mecA-negative, a new resistance gene called mecC, which is a homolog of mecA, has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the mecC and mecA genes in MRSA strains isolated from different geographic regions in Turkey. MethodsThe sample of the study consisted of 494 MRSA strains isolated from seven geographical regions in Turkey between 2013 and 2016. The strains were obtained from 17 centers, comprising 13 university hospitals, three education and research hospitals, and one state hospital. Methicillin resistance in S. aureus strains was determined using the agar disk diffusion method with a cefoxitin disk and the agar dilution method with oxacillin. The mecC and mecA genes in MRSA strains was investigated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). ResultsOf the MRSA strains investigated, 47.9% were isolated from intensive care units. Concerning sample type, 36.7% were detected in the respiratory tract (tracheal aspirate, sputum, etc.), 24.8% in blood, 18.7% in skin and soft tissues, 9.3% in nasal swabs, 5.4% in urine, 4.1% in ears, and 1% in sterile body fluid. Using PCR, mecC was not identified in any of the S. aureus strains isolated from different clinical microbiology laboratories. mecA gene positivity was found in 315 of the MRSA strains (63.8%). Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) type was identified in 232 strains (46.9%), of which 136 (58.7%) were type II, 75 (32.4%) were type IV, 12 (5.1%) were type IIIb, six (2.5%) were type I, and three (1.3%) were type III. ConclusionThis is the first multi-centered study to investigate MRSA strains isolated from different regions in Turkey. The mecC gene was not detected in any of the MRSA strains. We believe that this study will constitute an important basis for monitoring possible future changes.

The Investigation of the Attitudes of Preservice Teachers Regarding the Rights of the Child

The research was designed in the descriptive survey model, which is one of the quantitative research methods, with the aim of revealing the attitudes of preservice teachers regarding the rights of the child. The target population of the research was composed of 1419 students studying in the classroom teaching departments in education faculties of seven universities from seven different geographical regions of Turkey in 2017-2018 academic year, which were selected by random sampling. The research was carried out with 818 students who were selected by multiphase sampling and who volunteered to participate in the study. The scale in the research was named “questionnaire for measuring attitudes towards children’s rights”. The data was collected with this scale. According to the results, it was found that students’ attitudes towards children’s rights who participated in the research were high. While no significant differences were found according to the students’ class levels and taking course regarding child/human rights variables, there were significant differences according to gender and university variables. It was revealed that the attitudes of the female students regarding the rights of the child were higher than those of male students; and the attitudes of the students regarding the rights of the child in Trakya University were higher than those in Adiyaman University. Regarding the results obtained, various suggestions were made such as giving the courses related to the rights of the child within the framework of compulsory courses and increasing the informative education activities for male students regarding the rights of the child.

Difference and relation between balance, physical fitness and quality of life in retired people living in different geographical regions of Turkey

Difference and relation between balance, physical fitness and quality of life in retired people living in different geographical regions of Turkey