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Political Decision-making, Lottocracy, and AI
No full textThis article examines an argument for single-issue legislatures (SILs) as an alternative to typical decision-making procedures in representative democracies. It is argued that if this argument was successful, it could be extended to endorse decision-making processes utilizing advanced artificial intelligence. However, it is noted that this argument neglects an important feature of decision-making: authorization. It is important for its autonomy that a society must authorize certain decisions. If decisions were delegated to SILs or AI, this would undermine the autonomy of the group. This does not entail that these alternatives have no role in policy-crafting. It is argued that so long as a community can authorize a decision, perhaps by a vote, it need not undermine autonomy. An important caveat of this, however, is that the decision must be explicable to the community. For AI usage, this motivates the need for explainable AI (XAI)
Negotiating Autonomy: Lived Experiences of Female Living Organ Donors in Turkey
No full textOne of the most significant developments in the field of health in the past century is organ transplantation. While often regarded as a life-saving solution for patients with end-stage organ failure, the lived experiences of living organ donors – especially women – remain underexplored in the literature. This study, conducted between 2022 and 2024, employed qualitative methods and a feminist phenomenological design. The study examines how socio-cultural expectations, kinship obligations, and internalized gender norms intersect to influence women’s decision-making processes in living organ donation. Among living donors, those who donate a liver or a kidney take on significant physical and psychological risks, making their perspectives particularly important for ethical reflection. Based on interviews with 18 female donors in Turkey, the findings reveal how women's lived experiences of donation are shaped by their embodied vulnerability, relational roles, and the moral weight of familial obligation. Rather than autonomous acts made in isolation, these decisions emerge within gendered landscapes marked by asymmetrical power dynamics and cultural expectations. By attending to how women articulate their experiences of bodily sacrifice, risk, and post-donation subjectivity, this phenomenological inquiry highlights the necessity of integrating a gender-sensitive lens into bioethical discourse – one that recognizes how normative frameworks and structural inequalities shape and constrain women’s autonomy in living organ donation
Rapid invasion of the non-indigenous brown alga Stypopodium schimperi in the Adriatic Sea
No full textIn this study, we report the first record of the brown alga Stypopodium schimperi in the Adriatic Sea, which also represents the northernmost occurrence of this Lessepsian species within the Mediterranean. Species identification was confirmed through morphological examination and molecular analyses based on genotyping of the chloroplast genes rbcL, psbA, and psaA. During a 3-year observation period, S. schimperi demonstrated a vigorous increase in both coverage and spatial distribution. Starting from a few observed thalli in autumn 2020, coverage reached 100% over a large area. Consequently, this resulted in a drastic reduction of native macroalgae on rocky bottoms, mostly at depths of 5-20 m, which we quantified via photo-quadrat analyses along a gradient of its coverage. In conclusion, this non-indigenous species has the potential to become one of the most invasive in the Adriatic Sea, with a high likelihood of spreading further into the northwestern Mediterranean
Diagnostic Importance of Serum Neopterin, Procalcitonin and Some Acute Phase Proteins in Cattle with Lung Hydatid Cyst
No full textIn this study, it was aimed to determine the diagnostic importance of serum neopterin, procalcitonin, and some acute phase proteins in cattle with lung hydatid cysts. In the study, 30 cattle aged 2-8 years, Simmental or crossbred, constituted the patient group, and 10 healthy cattle in the same characteristics and age range constituted the control group. The cattle were included in the study after being diagnosed with lung hydatid cyst as a result of clinical, anamnesis, auscultation, radiographic examinations, laboratory and histopathological findings. Neopterin (21.60 nmol/L) and procalcitonin concentrations (146.77 ng/L) were significantly increased in the disease group compared to the control group (respectively: 7.22 nmol/L, 47.76 ng/L) (P<0.001). Haptoglobin (P<0.001) and ceruloplasmin (P=0.047) of the acute phase proteins were higher in the patient group compared to the control group, while albumin was found to be lower (P=0.028). In conclusion, the evaluation of serum neopterin, procalcitonin, and some acute phase proteins in cattle with lung hydatid cysts was found to be important. Since hydatid disease is a zoonotic disease, it will be important to perform radiography scans and confirm the diagnosis with relevant biomarkers and take new protective measures. We think that the diagnosis will be strengthened by investigating neopterin and procalcitonin levels, especially in cattle with suspected lung cysts in radiographic findings
A study on the use of tea (Camellia sinensis) flower extract in the feed of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Growth, body composition, and hematological blood parameters
No full textThis study investigated the effects of supplementing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feed with tea flower (Camellia sinensis) extract (TFE) on growth performance, body composition and haematological blood parameters. A total of 360 rainbow trout with a mean length of 12.2±0.21 cm (min 11.5 cm; max 13.00 cm) and a mean weight of 20.3±0.26 g (min 18.00 g; max 22.00 g) were used in the study. Thirty fish were placed in each of 12 fibreglass tanks, each with a volume of 100 L (80 L adjusted), a flow system (water flow of 9 L/min) and air support. In the study, a commercial trout feed was supplemented with TFE and 4 different experimental groups (0 ml/kg (Control), 10 ml/kg (TFE-10); 20 ml/kg (TFE-20) and 40 ml/kg (TFE-40) tea flower extract/kg feed) with 3 replicates were formed and randomly distributed. The results showed that final body weight, weight gain, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency, survival and meat yield were significantly higher in the TFE-10 group compared to the control group (P<0.05). TFE supplementation was determined to increase the protein ratio and decrease the fat ratio in the fish flesh composition. Haematological blood parameters, except for PLT, were significantly higher in the TFE-10 group compared to the control group at the end of the study (P<0.05). Based on the results of the cubic polynomial regression, it was calculated that a mean TFE level of 12.3±3.81 ml/kg was suitable for optimal fish growt
The effect of addition of powder jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit at different rates into mixed diets on antioxidant and some blood parameters of broiler chickens*
No full textThis study was conducted to determine the effects of addition of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit at different rates into the mixed feed on intestinal morphology, antioxidant and some blood parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 160 male broiler chickens (Ross-308), including 40 in each group, were used in the study. The groups were divided into 4 sub-groups, each of which include 10 broiler chickens. The study groups were the control group ( the group without jujube fruit), the H-0.5% group (the group with 0.5% jujube fruit), the H-1 group (the group with 1% jujube fruit), and the H-2 group (the group with 2% jujube fruit). At the end of the experiment (42nd day), the control group had the highest levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, ALT, AST, and uric acid, and the lowest level of creatine (P<0.05). While the lowest MDA level was detected in the H-2 group (P<0.001), the highest GSH (P<0.01) and CAT (P<0.05) levels were observed in the H-1 and H-2 groups. The control group also had the lowest values for villus height and crypt depth and the highest values for villus height/crypt depth (P<0.001).
As a result, it was concluded that jujube fruit, which is mainly used for its antioxidant properties, can be used in poultry compound feeds especially at the level of 1% due to its positive effects on antioxidant and blood parameters and intestinal morphology
Application of the high-flow nasal cannula in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
No full textBackground: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute inflammatory pulmonary process, which leads to protein-rich non-hydrostatic pulmonary oedema. It causes persistent hypoxemia, increases lung "stiffness" and impairs the lung's ability to excrete carbon dioxide. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients suffering from ARDS could not avoid falling ill. However, in many cases, the time from the onset of disease symptoms to the development of full-blown ARDS differed from that observed in ARDS caused by other underlying conditions. Based on the available data, ARDS associated with COVID-19 does not appear to exhibit a more rapid or severe progression of lung damage compared to ARDS from other causes.
Treatment approach: Supplemental oxygen therapy is one of the most commonly prescribed interventions used by clinicians when treating hypoxic acute care patients. This supplement often comes in the form of a low-flow nasal cannula (LFNC). The nasal cannula is an open system that provides low flow and low oxygen. Particularly in patients with COVID-19, HFNO has been shown to create a more uniform transmission of pressure and distribution of ventilation in the alveoli, compared to invasive mechanical ventilation.
Results: As a result, the probability of overdistension of open alveoli, together with the opening of closed alveoli, is reduced in a heterogeneous lung affected by SARS-COV-2. In normal breathing, about 1% of the air a person inhales is made up of the air exhaled in the previous breath. The result is that part of the exhaled CO2 is respired. However, the use of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) facilitates the delivery of heated, humidified oxygen at high flow rates, effectively flushing out CO₂ from the anatomical dead space in the trachea and bronchi, thereby enhancing gas exchange. This reduces the anatomical dead space and respiration of CO2, promoting its elimination. Conclusions As a result, HFNO has been shown to be effective in treating hypercapnia-induced respiratory failure. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the therapeutic effect after the application of the high-flow nasal cannula in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Action and learning: Reconsidering John Dewey's legacy
No full textΗ παρούσα εργασία επανεξετάζει τη φιλοσοφική και παιδαγωγική σκέψη του John Dewey εστιάζοντας στη σύνδεση της πράξης με τη μάθηση. Υποστηρίζει ότι στο Εργαστηριακό Σχολείο ο Dewey δίνει έμφαση στην κατασκευαστική εργασία τοποθετώντας στο κέντρο του αναλυτικού προγράμματος συγκεκριμένες ενασχολήσεις. Οι υπόλοιπες δραστηριότητες του παιδιού, όπως η επικοινωνία και η πειραματική διερεύνηση, αναπτύσσονται μέσα από τις κατασκευαστικές δραστηριότητες των ενασχολήσεων. Ωστόσο, μετά την επικοινωνιακή του στροφή το 1916 ο Dewey δέχεται ότι η επικοινωνία ως ο ιδιαίτερος τρόπος της ανθρώπινης αλληλόδρασης διαμορφώνει το κοινωνικό-πολιτισμικό περιβάλλον εντός του οποίου αναπτύσσονται τόσο η εργασία όσο και έρευνα. Συνεπώς, μπορούμε στοχαστούμε τόσο πάνω στη σύνδεση επικοινωνίας και μάθησης ανεξάρτητα από την κατασκευαστική εργασία όσο και πάνω στη σύνδεση της μάθησης με διαφορετικές μορφές εργασίας. Ωστόσο η απομάκρυνση του Dewey από τον παιδαγωγικό πειραματισμό δεν του επέτρεψε να δώσει μια παιδαγωγικά συγκεκριμένη μορφή στην έννοια της επικοινωνίας.This paper analyzes critically John Dewey’s philosophical and pedagogical thought focusing on the interrelation between praxis and learning. In Laboratory School Dewey gives emphasis to the constructive working putting at the core of curriculum certain occupations. The rest of child’s activities, such as communication and experimental inquiry, grow out from the constructive activities of occupations. However, after his communicative turn in 1916 Dewey supports that communication, as the peculiar way of human interaction, forms the sociocultural environment where both working and inquiring can take place. Thus, we are able to think the interrelation between communicative activities and learning apart from constructive working and also the interrelation of learning with different sort of working. However, Dewey’s distance from actual pedagogical experimentation didn’t allow him to elaborate how this new understanding of communication can be integrated to the pedagogical process.  
Δημιουργία Χριστουγεννιάτικης Θεατρικής Παράστασης στο πλαίσιο των εργαστηρίων δεξιοτήτων στην Πρώτη Δημοτικού
No full textΤο παρόν άρθρο εξετάζει την εφαρμογή και τα αποτελέσματα ενός καινοτόμου εκπαιδευτικού προγράμματος που υλοποιήθηκε στο 7ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Καλαμάτας, με τη συμμετοχή μαθητών και μαθητριών της πρώτης Δημοτικού. Το πρόγραμμα, στο πλαίσιο του εργαστηρίου δεξιοτήτων «Το ηλιακό μας σύστημα», στόχευε στην ενίσχυση της δημιουργικής έκφρασης, της συνεργατικής μάθησης και της κατανόησης του ηλιακού συστήματος μέσω της θεατρικής τέχνης. Η προσέγγιση βασίστηκε στη διαθεματικότητα, τον αυτοσχεδιασμό και τη συλλογική δημιουργία, ενθαρρύνοντας τη βιωματική μάθηση. Οι μαθητές και οι μαθήτριες δημιούργησαν μία χριστουγεννιάτικη θεατρική παράσταση, εξερευνώντας τους πλανήτες και τις επιστημονικές έννοιες μέσα από τη δραματοποίηση και την αφήγηση. Τα αποτελέσματα κατέδειξαν βελτίωση στις δεξιότητες επικοινωνίας, κριτικής σκέψης και συνεργασίας, ενώ παράλληλα ενισχύθηκε η κατανόηση των μαθητών και των μαθητριών σχετικά με το ηλιακό σύστημα, καθιστώντας τη μάθηση πιο ουσιαστική και ελκυστική