An Investigation of the Impact of Concurrent Group Dynamic Assessment on EFL Learners’ Achievement of Phrasal Verbs at Productive Level

The present study aimed at investigating the impact of the concurrent group dynamic assessment on the learning of phrasal verbs at a productive level. The participants of the study were 30 EFL learners at an intermediate level of language proficiency. The participants’ productive knowledge of the phrasal verbs was measured before and after the treatment through a researcher-made test including 80 items. For the purpose of the study, paired and independent samples t-test were utilized. Results of statistical analyses indicated that concurrent group dynamic assessment was significantly effective in the achievement of phrasal verbs at a productive level. Moreover, it was found that no significant difference existed in the concurrent group dynamic assessment in terms of the achievement of phrasal verbs at a productive level

Persia, the Land of Shiite Faith: The Migration of Imam Ahl al-Bayt and the Encounter between Two Belief Systems in Persia

This article attempts to trace the fundamental role of early Persian beliefs, Zoroastrians, to the decision of Ahl al-Bayt’s choice to migrate to Persia (Iran). This research is based on the fact that there are many places for pilgrimage to imams in Iran.  Specifically, this research investigates the similarity of several concepts in both religions, Zoroaster and Islam, regarding the teaching in the principle of God (Ilahiyyah), the principle of life after death (eschatology), and the principle of justice and morals of the religion embraced before Islam in Persia. Several studies have also reported on the distortions, opposition, and the consequences of encountering the two beliefs for the first time between Persian beliefs and Islamic teachings. This study employs a qualitative method with historical analysis and literature study along with relevant information of the study.  This article also uses the theory of migration and identity to see the interconnectedness of religion in the migration context. The results of this study show the factors that the Persians are interested in accepting and understanding the teachings of Islam. Those are: first, the emotional closeness of beliefs and moral values between Muslims and Zoroastrians (Magi); Second, the inclusive nature of Islam; third, the absence of racial, gender, and status discrimination in Islamic teachings. The descendants of imams Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet Muhammad SAW continued the prophet's preaching and the Imams in expanding the spread of Islamic teachings to various regions. During this expansion process, they found Iran as the most secure, and suitable region to accept the presence and teaching of Islam especially the Shiite sect. Therefore, they decided to migrate to Iran, and until now Iran is known as a Shiite country

Association of miR-372 and miR-137 Expression with Metastasis in Patients with Lung Cancer

Introduction: Identification of metastatic miRNAs and understanding their complex functions provides prognostic and diagnostic bio markers In this study, the expression of miR-372, fgf-9 gene, miR-137 and cdc42 gene was evaluated in the serum of patients with lung cancer.Materials and Methods: In the present study, 50 serum samples were collected from healthy individuals and 50 serum samples from people with NSCLC from Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran. Clinicopathological information was collected through questionnaires.In the molecular study, changes in expression of miR-372, miR-137, fgf-9 and cdc42 genes in healthy individuals and those with lung cancer were evaluated using Real Time PCR.Results: Expression of miR-372, fgf-9 and cdc42 genes in the first to third stage serum of metastases and expression of miR-137 in serum of the first and second stages of the disease were not significantly different from the normal one. However, in the serum of the fourth stage of the disease, expression of miR-372 and cdc42 gene were significantly increased by 7.3 and 3.4 folds than normal subjects, while in the serum of the fourth stage of the disease, the expression of fgf-9 gene was significantly reduced by 4.46 fold .The expression of miR-137 in the serum of the third and fourth stages of the disease was significantly reduced by 3.2 and 6.8 fold compared to the normal serumConclusion: It is likely that the expression of miR-372, miR-137, fgf-9 and cdc42 genes in human serum could be used to predict the stage of lung cancer metastasis

Principles and essentials of strategic decisions

Decision making is one of the processes which managers are constantly dealing with. Inseparability of management from decision making is to the extent that both issues are known as each other’s synonym. In the matter of decision making, the important point is that most managers are unable to analyze their decisions and consider it as a static and not a dynamic activity. Considering this and given the importance and role of strategic decisions in an organization’s success or failure, in this study, first we are going to explain the concept of decision making and its characteristics, thoughts and opinions about it, and then to study the principles and essentials of strategic decision making and general aspects of the views stated in this regard

Principles and essentials of strategic decisions

Decision making is one of the processes which managers are constantly dealing with. Inseparability of management from decision making is to the extent that both issues are known as each other’s synonym. In the matter of decision making, the important point is that most managers are unable to analyze their decisions and consider it as a static and not a dynamic activity. Considering this and given the importance and role of strategic decisions in an organization’s success or failure, in this study, first we are going to explain the concept of decision making and its characteristics, thoughts and opinions about it, and then to study the principles and essentials of strategic decision making and general aspects of the views stated in this regard

Principles and essentials of strategic decisions

Decision making is one of the processes which managers are constantly dealing with. Inseparability of management from decision making is to the extent that both issues are known as each other’s synonym. In the matter of decision making, the important point is that most managers are unable to analyze their decisions and consider it as a static and not a dynamic activity. Considering this and given the importance and role of strategic decisions in an organization’s success or failure, in this study, first we are going to explain the concept of decision making and its characteristics, thoughts and opinions about it, and then to study the principles and essentials of strategic decision making and general aspects of the views stated in this regard

Constructing and Validating a Q-Matrix for Cognitive Diagnostic Analysis of a Reading Comprehension Test Battery

Of paramount importance in the study of cognitive diagnostic assessment (CDA) is the absence of tests developed for small-scale diagnostic purposes. Currently, much of the research carried out has been mainly on large-scale tests, e.g., TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS, etc. Even so, formative language assessment with a focus on informing instruction and engaging in identification of student’s strengths and weaknesses to guide instruction has not been conducted in the Iranian English language learning context. In an attempt to respond to the call for developing diagnostic tests, this study explored developing a cognitive diagnostic reading comprehension test for CDA purposes. To achieve this, initially, a list of reading attributes was prepared based on the literature and then the attributes were used to construct 20 reading comprehension items. Then seven content raters were asked to identify the attributes of each item of the test. To obtain quantitative data for Q-matrix construction, the test battery was administered to 1986 students of a General English Language Course at the University of Tehran, Iran. In addition, 13 students were recruited to participate in think-aloud verbal protocols. On the basis of the overall agreement of the content raters’ judgements concerning the choices of attributes and results of think-aloud verbal protocol analysis, a Q-matrix that specified the relationships between test items and target attributes was developed. Finally, to examine the CDA of the test, the Fusion Model, a type of cognitive diagnostic model (CDM), was used for diagnosing the participants' strengths and weaknesses. Results suggest that nine major reading attributes are involved in these reading comprehension test items. The results obtained from such cognitive diagnostic analyses could be beneficial for both teachers and curriculum developers to prepare instructional materials that target specific weaknesses and inform them of the more problematic areas to focus on in class in order to plan for better instruction

The correlation between Hepatitis E seropositiveness and intravenous drug using in the drug users who referred to the drug treatment centers in Ahvaz, 2005-2006

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: هپاتیت ویروسی E (HEV) در ایران اندمیک بوده و مواردی از نوع برق آسا (Fulminant) با مرگ و میر بالا در بیماران مزمن کبدی و زنان حامله گزارش شده است. HEVعمدتاً از طریق مدفوعی- دهانی منتقل می گردد. ولی اخیراً مواردی از راه انتقال خونی آن نیز گزارش شده است. این مطالعه با هدف تعیین ارتباط بین شیوع سرمی HEV و اعتیاد تزریقی انجام شده است. روش بررسی: این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی در کانون بازپروری شهر اهواز بین سالهای 1385-1384 انجام گرفت. از 114 نفر معتاد تزریقی و 114 نفر معتاد استنشاقی پس از معاینه فیزیکی کامل و پر کردن پرسشنامه حاوی اطلاعات فردی و متغیرهای مربوط به مطالعه، خونگیری انجام شد. نمونه ها جهت وجود آنتی بادی ضد HEV با روش الیزا مورد آزمایش قرار گرفتند. نتایج حاصله با استفاده از آزمون های tو کای دو و نسبت شانس (OR) مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: میانگین سنی در دو گروه تزریقی و استنشاقی به ترتیب 04/8±24/33 و 59/7±2/31 سال بود (05/0P>). میانگین مدت اعتیاد در گروه تزریقی و استنشاقی به ترتیب 92/6±58/11 و 42/6±95/9 سال بود (05/0P>). فراوانی نسبی مثبت بودن آنتی بادی ضد HEV در گروه تزریقی 8/22 و در گروه استنشاقی 9/7 بود (01/0P، 15/1OR=). نتیجه گیری: این مطالعه نشان داد که HEVاحتمالاً از طریق خون منتقل می شود. لذا غربالگری خون های اهدا شده از نظر شیوع سرمی هپاتیت E می تواند از بروز اپیدمی این هپاتیت در دریافت کنندگان خون جلوگیری کند