Learning in digital environments: a model for cross-cultural alignment.

This article presents a conceptual model of cross-cultural alignments in education in the digital era. The intention was to explore and respond to urgent questions regarding learners and the learning environments in today's networked society. The model explores the enabling or constraining influences of educational systems, digital environments, learners, and educators on other learners and is based on the concept of social justice. The skills and competencies required for efficient learner development in a digital environment include digital competence, collaboration skills, intercultural competence, and lifelong learning skills. The interrelationship of these components and their influence on learners' skills and competencies are discussed through the lens of cross-cultural alignment by examining three intercultural projects worldwide. The authors recommend that educational systems provide educational institutions with a high-quality infrastructure as well as to support educators and learners in the development of digital skills. Future research may examine the model's components and their interrelationships so that it may serve researchers and practitioners as a basis for the design of future intercultural projects.

Investigation of relation between visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat volumes and calcified aortic plaques via multislice computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated effect of subcutaneous fat volume and abdominal visceral fat volume on aortic atherosclerosis via multislice computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study comprised 424 subjects who underwent non-contrast-enhanced abdominal CT in our clinic between June 2012 and June 2013. Using dedicated software visceral fat volume was calculated for each individual and then subcutaneous fat volume was calculated by subtracting visceral fat volume from total fat volume. By dividing visceral fat volume/subcutaneous fat volume participants were assigned to three groups according to their mean visceral fat volume/subcutaneous fat volume: Group 1 consisted of subjects with visceral fat volume/subcutaneous fat volume lower than 0.48 (Group 1 < 0.48); Group 2 consisted of subjects with visceral fat volume/subcutaneous fat volume equal to or higher than 0.48 and lower than 0.69 (0.48 ≤ Group 2 < 0.69); and Group 3 consisted of subjects with visceral fat volume/subcutaneous fat volume equal to or higher than 0.69 (Group 3 ≥ 0.69). RESULTS: The mean abdominal aortic calcium scores according to Agatston scoring (au) were 136.8 ± 418.7 au in Group 1, 179.9 ± 463 au in Group 2 and 212.2 ± 486.9 in Group 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a significant correlation between visceral fat volume and abdominal aorta atherosclerosis, while there was absence of significant correlation between subcutaneous fat volume and abdominal atherosclerosis.

A surgeon's nightmare: Complications.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to determine the physically and psychologically most difficult complication resulting in chronic discomfort and occurring sensationally in the postoperative period of operations performed frequently in the daily surgical routine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a survey among surgeons who participated in the 19(th) National Surgery Congress. The questions were related to the complications encountered in the frequent procedures performed in the daily general surgery routine and resulting in chronic life discomfort but which are not life threatening. Three hundred and sixty general surgeons participated in the survey and they were asked which complication among the given ones was the most difficult for a surgeon to manage physically and psychologically. The received answers were recorded and evaluated with descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among the surgeons who participated in the survey, 345 were male (96%) and 15 female (4%); 218 (61%) general surgeons served in universities whereas 112 (30%) surgeons served in other public institutes and 30 (9%) served in private hospitals. With regard to the ranking of the complications that are most difficult to manage by the surgeons, pain and hemorrhage developing after hemorrhoidectomy were in the first place with 90 (25%) votes, whereas persistent hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy was in the second place with 73 (20%) votes. Furthermore, 286 (80%) surgeons stated that the complications did not discourage them from performing the same operation again. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that among the determined complications of operations performed in daily surgery routine, pain and hemorrhage developing after hemorrhoidectomy were the most difficult to manage. In addition, it was observed that complications did not discourage surgeons to perform the same operation again, contrary to popular belief.

Idiopathic Lumbar Epidural Lipomatosis Mimicking Disc Herniation: A Case Report.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis is a rare condition which is described as the accumulation of fat in the extradural territory and often causes dural impingement. Spinal epidural lipomatosis has been implicated in causing a variety of neurologic impairments ranging from back pain, radiculopathy, claudication, myelopathy or even cauda equina syndrome. We report a 46-year-old female with obesity and a history of chronic back pain and radiculopathy who developed idiopathic Spinal epidural lipomatosis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The purpose of this report is to present a case of spinal epidural lipomatosis presenting with symptomatic cord compression and also remind this rare condition as a the differential diagnosis of epidural lesions in patients with risk factors.

Cross-sectional Imaging Features of Primary Retroperitoneal Tumors and Their Subsequent Treatment.

Basically malignant tumors in the retroperitoneal region arise from a heterogeneous group of tissues: mesodermal, neurogenic, germ cell, and lymphoid. Although rare, benign tumors and cystic masses can be also encountered in retroperitoneal space. Developments in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have contributed to both diagnosis and staging of the retroperitoneal tumors. High spatial resolution and superiority in calcification make CT indispensable; on the other hand, MRI has a better soft-tissue contrast resolution which is essential for the assessment of vascular invasion and tissue characterization. The aim of this article is to review the CT and MRI features of retroperitoneal tumors and their subsequent management.