Evaluating Stakeholders Curricular Needs: Global Literacy in Social Studies Teacher Education

This study aims to evaluate the curriculum of the Globalization and Society course under the Social Studies Teacher Education Program. We attempted to determine the educational needs of the various curriculum stakeholders and the extent to which the relevant course met these needs. For this purpose, we aimed to reveal how effectively the globalization and society curriculum addresses stakeholders' needs regarding antecedents, transactions, and outcomes. We chose the research design (singular case study) because we evaluated the curriculum as a single case. We also used Stake's Responsive Evaluation Model during the curriculum evaluation process. We conducted structured and semi-structured interviews with curriculum stakeholders such as social studies teachers, pre-service teachers, course instructors, and a curriculum expert. The findings indicate that curriculum stakeholders have different perspectives and expectations regarding the course's objectives and contents. However, these objectives and contents needed to be better integrated into teacher education and social studies teaching. This case may indicate that social studies teaching handles globalization in a limited way

Kraft pulping properties of european black Pine cone

In this study, different mixtures of cones and wood chips of European black pine (Pinus nigra) were kraft cooked, and the resulting pulp and paper properties were investigated. Also, the chemical compositions and fiber dimensions of the cones and wood were examined. Cone chips were mixed in different ratios (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) with wood chips prior to pulping. Also, kraft pulping of 100% cone chips and 100% wood chips were conducted so the results could be compared. The kraft pulp of 100% cone chips had lower pulp yield, lower pulp strength, and higher kappa number than that of 100% wood chips. As the ratio of cone chips was increased in the mixture of cone chips and wood chips, higher kappa numbers and lower total screened yield were obtained. Additionally, the strength properties and brightness of the resulting kraft pulp were decreased gradually. However, the opacity of the pulp was increased slightly. Consequently, cone fibers of European black pine can be used as a raw material in the paper industry by mixing with wood fibers

Levosimendan accelerates recovery in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of levosimendanin takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC).Methods: The study was conducted in a retrospective design and 42 consecutive patients were enrolled in 6 cardiovascular centers in Turkey. The records of TC patients having left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) £ 35% were examined at admission, discharge and recovery period including their clinical and echocardiographic data.Results: Of these 42 TC patients, 17 were treated with loading dose and i.v. infusion of levosimendan (group 1) and 25 were treated without levosimendan (group 2). Echocardiographic findings at admission and at discharge were similar and no serious complications were observed in either group. However recovery period including the interval of 50% increase in LVEF, time to achieve the baseline troponin values and hospitalization were significantly lowerin patients taking levosimendan.Conclusions: This is the first study using loading dose and subsequent continuous intravenous administration of levosimendan demonstrating accelerated recovery in patients with TC

Evaluation of left ventricular systolic asynchrony in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

Background: The heart was very sensitive to fluctuating thyroid hormone levels. To assess intra-left ventricular (LV) systolic asynchrony in patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Methods: Fifty patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 40 controls were included. A diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism was reached with increased TSH and normal free T4. All subjects were evaluated by echocardiography. Evaluation of intra-LV systolic asynchrony was performed by tissue synchronization imaging (TSI), and four TSI parameters of systolic asynchrony were calculated. LV asynchrony was defined by these parameters. Results: All of the groups were similar in terms of demographic findings and conventional and Doppler echocardiograpic parameters except peak systolic velocity and early diastolic velocity. LV systolic asynchrony parameters of TSI including; standard deviation of Ts of the 12 LV segments (Ts-SD-12), maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of the 12 LV segments (Ts-12), standard deviation of TS of the 6 basal LV segments (Ts-SD-6), maximal difference in Ts between any of the 6 basal LV segments (Ts-6) were significantly lengthened in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of LV asynchrony was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than control. Conclusions: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism present evidence of LV asynchrony by TSI. LV systolic asynchrony could be a warning sign of the early stage in cardiac systolic dysfunction in subclinical hypothyroid patients