An Evaluation of High School English Textbooks in Iranian EFL Context: Teachers’ versus Learners’ Perceptions

Textbooks play a very crucial role in the process of language teaching and learning. They affect the whole language learning/teaching process. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of the EFL textbooks produced by the Ministry of Education and used in Iranian educational system from teachers’ versus learners’ points of view in a comparative way. To this end, the study employed a survey based design. The data were collected through questionnaires with 27 close-ended items consisting of five different sections. The results showed that both the teachers and the learners believed that the high school English textbooks are highly ineffective in increasing learners’ motivation to learn English, in increasing the learners’ accuracy in producing pragmatically correct sentences, in increasing learners’ fluency in speaking English, in improving learners’ language skills, and in engaging the learners in learning about the target language culture. It can be concluded that the English textbooks used in Iranian high schools cannot meet the Iranian learners’ and teachers’ needs and wants since they are grammar-based. Thus, based on the findings of this study, the textbook designers can take into account the teachers’ and learners’ preferences and perceptions when designing the new editions of these textbooks.

Post-collisional polycyclic plutonism from the Zagros hinterland: the Shaivar Dagh plutonic complex, Alborz belt, Iran

The petrological and geochronological study of the Cenozoic Shaivar Dagh composite intrusion in the Alborz Mountain belt (NW Iran) reveals important clues to decipher complex relations between magmatic and tectonic processes in the central sectors of the Tethyan (Alpine-Himalayan) orogenic belt. This pluton is formed by intrusion at different times of two main magmatic cycles. The older (Cycle 1) is formed by calc-alkaline silicic rocks, which range in composition from diorites to granodiorites and biotite granites, with abundant mafic microgranular enclaves. The younger cycle (Cycle 2) is formed by K-rich monzodiorite and monzonite of marked shoshonitic affinity. The latter form the larger volumes of the exposed plutonic rocks in the studied complex. Zircon geochronology (laser ablation ICP-MS analyses) gives a concordia age of 30.8 ± 2.1 Ma for the calc-alkaline rocks (Cycle 1) and a range from 23.3 ± 0.5 to 25.1 ± 0.9 Ma for the shoshonitic association (Cycle 2). Major and trace element relations strongly support distinct origins for each magmatic cycle. Rocks of Cycle 1 have all the characteristic features of active continental margins. Shoshonitic rocks (Cycle 2) define two continuous fractionation trends: one departing from a K-rich basaltic composition and the other from an intermediate, K-rich composition. A metasomatized-mantle origin for the two shoshonitic series of Cycle 2 is proposed on the basis of comparisons with experimental data. The origin of the calc-alkaline series is more controversial but it can be attributed to processes in the suprasubduction mantle wedge related to the incorporation of subducted mélanges in the form of silicic cold plumes. A time sequence can be established for the processes responsible of the generation of the two magmatic cycles: first a calc-alkaline cycle typical of active continental margins, and second a K-rich cycle formed by monzonites and monzodiorites. This sequence precludes the younger potassic magmas as precursors of the older calc-alkaline series. By contrast, the older calc-alkaline magmas may represent the metasomatic agents that modified the mantle wedge during the last stages of subduction and cooked a fertile mantle region for late potassic magmatism after continental collisio

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate with and without Silver Nanoparticles

Introduction: Most current root-end filling materials do not provide a perfect seal. Thus, a microscopic space is likely to exist in the interface between walls of the root-end cavity and filling material, which allows microorganisms and their products to penetrate. In addition to good sealing ability and biocompatibility, root-end filling materials should ideally have some antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this in vitro study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Angelus white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and the mixture of MTA with silver nanoparticles (1% weight; MTA/SN). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial properties of MTA and MTA/SN were tested by agar diffusion technique against Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The microbial inhibition zones around the materials were measured by a caliper with 0.1-mm accuracy. Student’s t-test was used for comparison between the two groups in normal data distribution and Man-Whitney U test for non-normal distribution. Results: Student’s t-test revealed that for E. faecalis, C. albicans, and P. aeruginosa, microbial inhibition zone of MTA/SN was significantly greater than that of MTA (P=0.000). Mann-Whitney U test indicated no significant difference between the effect of MTA and MTA/SN on S. aureus (P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, adding silver nanoparticles to MTA improved its antimicrobial efficacy

Oral Health Indices in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Insulin Treatment Compared With Metformin: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: Due to the important influence of glycemic control on oral health, this study aimed to compare the gingival index and decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving insulin and metformin. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin and metformin were studied in two groups based on the type of treatment. The information for DMFT and gingival indices were obtained using the oral examination. In the insulin group, participants received insulin Lantus 0.2 unit/kg once daily, and in the metformin group, participants received metformin tablets 500 mg every 12 hours. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured by lab test in all participants. Finally, HbA1c, the information of DMFT, and gingival indices were compared between the two groups. Results: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in decayed, missed, and restored teeth, as well as the overall DMFT index between the two groups. The gingival index was significantly higher in the insulin group (P=0.046). Conclusions: Gingival health of insulin users is poorer than metformin users, but it seems that type of diabetes treatment does not affect the DMFT inde

The prophylactic effect of Acetobacter syzygii probiotic species against squamous cell carcinoma

Background. Squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent carcinoma of the oral cavity. Recently anti-proliferative effect of probiotics has been considered and assessed against different cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Acetobacter syzygii strain supernatant on KB human oral cancer cell line and KDR human epithelial normal cell line. Methods. The cytotoxicity assessments were performed through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) as well as through qualitative (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining) and quantitative (flow cytometry assessments using the BD Biosciences Annexin V-FITC Kit) evaluations of apoptosis. Results. A. syzygii secretions exhibited significant cytotoxicity against KB cancer cell lines similar to cisplatin (75.7% apoptosis) while the rate of apoptosis in KDR normal cells was only 9.36%. The prophylactic effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (PTCC 1643), as a reference bacterium, was similar to A. syzygii, indicating beneficial effects of useful bacteria on prevention of oral diseases. Conclusion. The anticancer bioactivity of A. syzygii strain secretions depends on the induction of apoptosis in KB cancer cells. However, several investigations should be conducted to precisely determine effective compounds to be used as anticancer therapeutics in the future

Geochemistry, Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes and geochronology of amphibole- and mica-bearing lamprophyres in northwestern Iran: Implications for mantle wedge heterogeneity in a paleo-subduction zone

Highlights: • Northwestern Iranian lamprophyres have alkaline and calc-alkaline nature. • Studied lamprophyres are emplaced during Late Cretaceous to Late Miocene time. • Lamprophyres originated from different metasomatised lithospheric mantle. Abstract: Lamprophyres of different age showing distinctive mineralogy, geochemistry and isotopic ratios are exposed in northwestern Iran. They can be divided into Late Cretaceous sannaite, Late Oligocene-Early Miocene camptonite (amphibole-bearing) and Late Miocene minette (mica-bearing) and spessartite (amphibole-bearing) lamprophyres. Sannaites have high-Ti amphibole along with high-Ti and Al clinopyroxene, and they are characterised by homogeneous enrichment in incompatible trace elements with troughs at Pb. Spessartites have hornblende and low-Al and Ti clinopyroxene, and they are characterised by enriched incompatible trace element pattern with depletions of Nb, Ta, Pb, and Ti with respect to large ion lithophile elements. Minettes have high-Ti and Al brown mica and low-Al and Ti clinopyroxene, and similarly to spessartite, are characterised by fractionation of high field strength elements with respect to large ion lithophile elements, with troughs at Nb, Ta, and Ti and a peak at Pb. Minettes show high initial 87Sr/86Sr values up to 0.70760 and low initial 143Nd/144Nd down to 0.512463 with a negative correlation, consistent with the trace element distribution related with an enriched mantle source modified after sediment recycling during subduction and continental collision. Cretaceous sannaites and Early Miocene spessartites show low initial 87Sr/86Sr approaching 0.70447 and high 143Nd/144Nd values up to 0.512667, which are consistent with a depleted within-plate mantle source. Minette and spessartite lamprophyres show high initial 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb values, whereas sannaites have lower, but variable, initial 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb values with respect to those of calc-alkaline lamprophyres. Minettes originated by partial melting of a metasomatised lithospheric mantle following siliciclastic sediment recycling by subduction. In contrast, sannaites were generated from the partial melting of a similar lithospheric mantle that was metasomatised by within-plate agents

The relationship between maternal periodontal and dental health status and preterm birth: A case-control study

Introduction: The idea that oral infections spread to other systems has long been of interest to clinicians. On the other hand, there are researches suggesting the possibility of periodontitis and dental caries being a risk factor for low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between periodontal and dental health status with PTB. Methods: In this case-control study, 82 pregnant women were evaluated. The case group included mothers with preterm infants (gestational age of less than 37 weeks), while the control group involved mothers who had term labors (gestational age of 37-42 weeks). Oral examinations were carried out up to 48 hours after delivery. Periodontal and dental health indicators, including decayed, missed, filled teeth (DMFT), periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival index (GI) were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17 software through Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests. Results: DMFT was 7.34±4.45 and 5.68±4.29 for mothers with preterm infants and mothers in control group, respectively (P=0.023). CAL (P=0.001) and BOP (P=0.012) were significantly higher in mothers with preterm infants, but there was no significant difference in Pocket depth (P=0.57) and GI (P=0.51) between the studied groups. Conclusion: There is a relationship between some maternal periodontal and dental health indicators and PTBs signifying that elimination of any oral sources of inflammation may reduce the risk of premature birth

New Simulated Plasma for Assessing Solubility of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Introduction:Solubility of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is an important characteristic that affects other properties such as microleakage and biocompatibility. Distilled water (DW) has previously been used for solubility tests. This experimental study compared the solubility of MTA in DW, synthetic tissue fluid (STF) and new simulated plasma (SP). Methods and Materials: In this study, 36 samples of tooth-colored ProRoot MTA were prepared and divided into three groups (n=12) to be immersed in three different solutions (DW, STF, and SP). Solubility tests were conducted at 2, 5, 9, 14, 21, 30, 50, and 78-day intervals. The unequal variance F-test (Welch test) was utilized to determine the effect of solubility media and Games-Howell analysis was used for pairwise comparisons. The repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess the importance of immersion duration. Results: Welch test showed significant differences in solubility rates of samples between all the different solubility media at all the study intervals (P<0.05) except for the 14-day interval (P=0.094). The mixed repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant difference in solubility rate of MTA in three different solutions at all time-intervals (P=0.000). Games-Howell post-hoc test revealed that all pairwise comparisons were statistically significant at all time-intervals (P=0.000). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the long-term solubility of MTA in simulated plasma was less than that in synthetic tissue fluid and distilled water

A mobile and intelligent device for customized logopedic therapy

An expert system for customized logopedic therapy must allow the training of children depending on its speech disabilities and former progress. The children’s training is accomplished using exercises chosen by the expert system and can be performed either in the doctor’s office or at home for each child using an intelligent mobile device. The expert system generates a set of exercises for each child depending on the doctor’s recommendation. These exercises are transferred from PC to mobile devices using a Universal Serial Bus connection. The mobile device saves the result of each therapy session and when it is connected to PC it transfers the results to the expert system for analysis. Using the results of these analyses the expert system will decided whether a new session is needed and if that is the case, compute a new set of exercises

Therapeutic effects of D-aspartate in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Abstract Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis. EAE is mainly mediated by adaptive and innate immune responses that leads to an inflammatory demyelization and axonal damage. The aim of the present research was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) on a mouse EAE model. EAE induction was performed in female C57BL/6 mice by myelin 40 oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55) in a complete Freund's adjuvant emulsion, and D-Asp was used to test its efficiency in the reduction of EAE. During the course of study, clinical evaluation was assessed, and on Day 21, post-immunization blood samples were taken from the heart of mice for the evaluation of interleukin 6 and other chemical molecules. The mice were sacrificed, and their brain and cerebellum were removed for histological analysis. Our findings indicated that D-Asp had beneficial effects on EAE by attenuation in the severity and delay in the onset of the disease. Histological analysis showed that treatment with D-Asp can reduce inflammation. Moreover, in D-Asp-treated mice, the serum level of interleukin 6 was significantly lower than that in control animals, whereas the total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher. The data indicates that D-Asp possess neuroprotective property to prevent the onset of the multiple sclerosis