Archive of Journal
Volume 77, Issue 12, Dec. 2021

THE COMMENTARY OF NESATI'S ODE WITH "EVEN" REDIF IN TERMS OF SEMANTIC STRATA

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.2

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Abstract: As a work of art, poetry is a world of meaning that the artist creates with words to express feelings and thoughts. This world of meaning consists of two basic strata, which are the words and sounds that make up the poem as the first stratum, and the second is the meaning stratum where the message the poet wants to convey to the recipient through words. Although both strata are important for the art of poetry, the main purpose of the poet is to establish the meaning world of poetry, namely, the irreal stratum, through the word stratum. This irreal stratum is enriched by the elements such as the knowledge, culture, interpretation of the realm of existence, artistic ability, emotional intensity, etc. of the poet. The reflection of these elements on the poem enriches the semantic world of the poem creating rich connotations in the mind of the reader. The more a poem connotates elements in the mind of the reader through the semantic strata in the irreal stratum, the more valuable it becomes artistically. In this context, it is a necessity to discuss and analyze the semantic strata especially in odes to uncover the artistic value of classical Turkish poetry. Based on this idea, Nesati’s ode with “even” redif will be analyzed, and the semantic strata in the irreal stratum will be discussed.

Author(s): Mehmet Ozdemir

SYNERGISTIC ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALGERIAN HONEY AND COMMON ANTIBIOTICS AGAINST PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ISOLATE

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.3

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Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial effect between the Algerian honey and common antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Euphorbia, Thyme honey exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa when used alone (the highest zone of inhibition (ZI) ,16mm at 80% (v/v); and at 90% (v/v), 13 mm respectively). The combined effect of honey and antibiotics against P.aeruginosa strains was more advantageous when compared to the antibiotic. Moreover (Amoxicillin-Acide clavulanic and Euphorbia honey) (Amoxicillin-Acide clavulanic and Thym honey) (amoxicillin and Thym honey) showed a great synergistic effect with FIC index 0,25 ; 0,25 ;0,15 respectively. The results revealed that euphorbia honey and thyme honey can be used separately or in synergistic combination with commonly used antibiotics.

Author(s): Bourabah Akila, Abdelli S K; Bediar I; Bedri k


TRANSLATION AND VALIDATION OF THE PEDIATRIC QUALITY OF LIFE INVENTORY FOR CHILDREN IN PAKISTANI CONTEXT

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.1

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Abstract: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory is the most widely used instrument for assessing children and adolescent health-related quality of life and has shown excellent markers of reliability and validity. The current study carried out with the objectives of translation and cross-language validation along with determination of factor Structure and psychometric properties of Urdu version. It was administered on 154 Primary School Children with age range 10 to12 years (M= 10.86, S.D = 0.62); including boys (n=92) and girls (n = 62). Sample was recruited from two randomly selected schools from Rawalpindi district of Pakistan. Results of pilot phase revealed that the instrument had good reliability (Urdu Version α = 0.798; English Version α = 0.795) as well as test-retest correlation coefficients over a period of 15 days (r = 0.85). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) resulted in three factorial structures; Social/School Functioning (k = 8), Psychological Functioning (k = 7) and Physical Functioning (k = 6) considered suitable for our sample instead of four factors. Bartlett's test of sphericity showed inter-correlation between variables. However, factor loadings for items 22 and 23 of School Functioning subscale were problematic. Model was fit to the data after their removal with Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability coefficient of the scale (k = 21) as 0.87 and for subscales as 0.75, 0.77 and 0.73 for Social/School Scale, Psychological subscale and Physical subscale respectively. These results supported the feasibility and reliability of the Urdu version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory as reliable and effective tool for the measurement of quality of life among Pediatrics Pakistani population.

Author(s): Nazia Mustafa, Aneela Maqsood


AN INVESTIGATION INTO STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENTS MADE BY AFROCENTRIC GROUP IN PREPARATION FOR THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (NHI) IMPLEMENTATION IN GAUTENG PROVINCE

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.7

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Abstract: This study aimed to explore and understand strategic adjustments that had been made by the largest medical scheme administrator in South Africa, Afrocentric Group to prepare for the NHI implementation in the Gauteng province. The study followed an exploratory qualitative approach and data was collected through semi-structured interviews in which 10 participants occupying middle to senior management positions in their various organisations took part. The most predominant theme that emerged from the interviews was that of partnerships and collaboration between the public and private healthcare sectors to make NHI a success. The findings revealed the significant role that medical schemes and medical scheme administrators such as the Afrocentric Group can play before and after the initial implementation of NHI. Private healthcare organisations already have the knowledge, expertise and digital systems needed to make NHI a reality. In addition, medical schemes and administrators could play a key role in providing public education and creating products and services that are based on the primary healthcare concept. This would help contribute towards expanding healthcare access to more members of the community and would expedite the general understanding of NHI.

Author(s): Jeremiah Madzimure, Anton M. Pillay, M.M. Ximba


INVESTIGATING PRESERVICE TEACHERS’ PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE IN TEACHING TRIGONOMETRIC GRAPHS: A CASE OF THREE PRESERVICE TEACHERS

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.8

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Abstract: It is imperative for preservice teachers to know to some extent the content knowledge of the mathematics they will be teaching and how to teach the same at the exit point from teacher education. The purpose of this study was to investigate preservice teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge skills during the teaching trigonometric graphs in real classroom situations. The Knowledge Quartet theoretical framework was used to structure the study and also analyse data, whereby each dimension of the theoretical framework was used to classify preservice teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge skills. The Knowledge Quartet dimensions were used to categorise and classify the perceived components of pedagogical content knowledge for each participant. This study was a case of three final-year mathematics preservice teachers who each volunteered to plan and teach a lesson on explaining trigonometric graphs. The results revealed that preservice teachers displayed adequate foundation knowledge of teaching trigonometric graphs, but did not properly handle unexpected events in the class, like questions posed by learners. The contingency dimension for the preservice teachers in this study was limited. Teacher education becoming the pinnacle for higher education and with the increasing costs for teaching practice assessment, there is a possibility that future PTs will have less of what is expected to be effective teachers.

Author(s): Benjamin Tatira

CROSS-SECTIONAL DISEASE REGISTRY ON INTENSIFICATION OF INSULIN THERAPY IN UNCONTROLLED INSULINIZED T2DM PATIENTS IN CURRENT PRACTICE IN TUNISIA

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.4

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Abstract: Introduction : The aim of this observational study based on a disease registry was to assess the insulin therapy intensification practice in Tunisia and their benefits in patients with T2DM not controlled by basal insulin or mixed insulins. Methods: Multicentre, observational, cross sectional disease registry, non-interventional on the therapeutic strategy, with one planned visit. T2DM adults uncontrolled (HbA1c >7%) with ≥1 OADs and basal insulin or premixed insulin, who provided written informed consent were recruited in this registry. Results: 22 endocrinologists randomly selected from the national list base of 180 Tunisian endocrinologists participated to this study, 20 consecutive patients were included per center, a total of 413 were recruited in this registry. The mean ±SD age was 59.6 ±10.5 years and 53.8% were female. This study revealed that, at the end, 47.2% of T2DM adults included received basal plus or basal bolus regimen. Various strategies of insulin intensification were observed : 42.1% who received at first basal insulin were switched to basal plus or bolus; 3.2% who received at first basal insulin were switched to premix insulin. Among patients who were treated at first with premix insulin, 26.2% were switched to basal plus or basal bolus, while 16.7% were treated with increasing the injections number or the dose of premix insulin. In addition it seems important to underline that 142 of T2DM adults included (34.5% of total patients) had no change of their initial insulin regimen and keeping the same doses. The absence of intensification of insulin was significantly more common among patients with university educational level (p=0.01), very satisfactory socioeconomic level (p<0.001), patients whose insulin initiation started more than two years (p<0.001) and patients with hypertension (p=0.04). The absence of intensification of insulin was significantly lower in patients with lower mean fasting blood glucose (p=0.007) and HbA1c (p<0.001) and in patients initially treated with basal regimen. Good adherence to ADA/EASD recommendations was observed in only 47.8% of cases. Conclusions : Although this study enrolled 413 uncontrolled diabetes patients treated with OADs+ inulines, 34.5% of total patients remain without change of initial insulin regimen and keep the same doses. There is also a suboptimal adherence to the ADA/EASD recomandation as good adherence to ADA/EASD recommendations was observed in less than half of the cases, whren we know that insulin therapy with basal insulin, basal bolus or premixed insulin will eventually need to be optimized, to avoid long-term diabetes complications. Probably, current international guideline recommendations should be adapted to real-life clinical practice. Simplified treatment protocols, associated with patient education, could allow physicians to become efficient prescribers of insulin intensification in clinical practice.

Author(s): Leila Ben Salem, Ben Aissa Emna, Hsairi Mohamed, Zidi Borni


EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF CURRICULUM CHANGES ON TEACHER ATTRITION IN CHRIS HANI WEST EDUCATION DISTRICT, EASTERN CAPE

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.5

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Abstract: Any possible dissatisfaction in the workplace can easily result into employees leaving their jobs. Since the beginning of curriculum reforms in South Africa Education Districts nationally, within a short space of time, were faced with frequent curriculum changes which led to teachers having to change their old methodologies to accommodate that particular newly adopted curriculum. At that point teachers needed training and motivation to be able to perform as required and the failure of which would lead to demoralisation and teachers leaving their jobs. Demoralisation in any job situation is the result of over commitment and setting of unrealistic job expectation that can lead to lower staff morale and high staff turnover. Apart from the fact that the education system had been in a crisis from shortage of teachers, it occurred that every year there was a huge number of teachers that leave the profession. In the process of finding out the actual reason teachers were leaving the employment, a mixed-method study was conducted where one teacher per school from fifteen out of eighteen rural high schools of the district was purposely sampled and, therefore, fifteen teachers responded to a questionnaire. Five retired teachers from the same district were conveniently sampled to participate in the interviews. To collect, analyse and interpret data concurrent procedures were used. The findings indicated that the major shortcoming of the education system was the frequent introduction of curriculum changes, without appropriate teacher development, that demoralised teachers to an extent of leaving their jobs and others resorting to early retirement. The authors, therefore, recommended that the education system, when planning to change a school curriculum should introduce the new curriculum to pre-service teachers for them to take it to schools after qualifying.

Author(s): Mabel-wendy Mashologu, Shakespear M. Chiphambo, Nomxolisi Mtsi


DESCRIBING A UNIVERSITY AS A SITE OF ECOLOGY KNOWLEDGE AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE CULTURE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.9

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Abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe a university as a site of ecology knowledge and define a high-performance culture in higher education. A high-performance culture is a set of behaviours that an organization adopts or engage in that leads in achieving superior results. It is evident that cooperation amongst the employees is dynamic for the organization to be able to bring about the anticipated results. It is recommended that leaders must hear the opinions suggested by their subordinates and those who have vision and able to formulate clear goals about the future of the organization. The rewards and recognition, both extrinsic rewards and intrinsic acknowledgement for quality performance and behavioral integrity are recommended in the process of organizational culture and leadership.

Author(s): Jeremiah Madzimure

CRISIS NEWS AND ONLINE PUBLIC SPHERE: A DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF FACEBOOK COMMENTS ON NEWS STORIES ABOUT AYLAN KURDI

Volume 77, Dec 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.12.6

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Abstract: Internet specially the social media covers the most fashionable public sphere, as it gives a shared place to people to share data, information, and communication similar and different visions, possibly engaging those otherwise missed out in the leading discussions. The aim is to look for the trends of online public sphere related to the case of Aylan Kurdi – the Syrian Boy who drowned, on news stories shared by Facebook fan pages of CNN and Al Jazeera English. The study analyses around 250 user comments posted online on news stories of the fb pages. Findings revealed peace-oriented responses in the comments and online community. Al Jazeera and CNN commenters responded differently as both lamed different political actors for the crisis, although CNN commenters responded as outsiders and Al Jazeera commenters found more interested in the reasoning and logic of the incident. The online sphere is not only strengthening the social media, ornamenting, and improving the world public opinion about the different socio-economic and political crises but also compelling the world political leaders and governments, the decision-makers, to act and react for a better peaceful society.

Author(s): Nadira Khanum, Hina Shahid