Observing students’ attitudes towards teachers’ code-switching in EFL classes. Does gender have any impact?

Code-switching is a widespread phenomenon used as a communicative resource both in natural and educational settings. This is very common in bilingual and multilingual settings but not in educational ones. There are varying attitudes towards the use of code switching. The present study was to investigate students’ attitudes towards teachers’ code-switching in EFL classes. Moreover, gender differences in students’ attitudes were observed. To this end, a four-section 20-item questionnaire developed by Yao (2011) was distributed to students. They were also supposed to answer the question regarding their gender identity at the top of the questionnaire. The data were tabulated, and frequencies and percentages were conducted by SPSS program. The findings displayed that students totally had positive attitudes towards code-switching used by teachers in EFL classes. However, there were some situations in which they were not interested in it. Furthermore, this study showed that gender does not cause any significant differences in students’ attitudes

The Role of Schema-theory based on Background Knowledge and Graphic Organizer on Enhancing EFL Learners’ Listening Comprehension

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of schema-theory based on background knowledge and graphic organizers on the listening comprehension of EFL learners. Initially, 90 male intermediate learners were selected non-randomly for the purpose of this study. Next, they were given a Nelson Proficiency Test the results of which were drawn upon to select a homogeneous pool of sixty five participants. These participants were then divided into two groups. Following that, a pretest of was administered to the participants of the two groups to make sure that the two groups were not significantly different in terms of listening comprehension performance. Then, as for the first experimental group GO (Graphic Organizer) tasks were used for all the 5 sessions of treatment. As for the second experimental group before listening to the text, the researchers assisted the participants in activating their background knowledge regarding the topic of the listening material. The whole treatment lasted for 5 sessions. Having finished the treatment sessions, both groups sat for the listening posttest. The results of statistical analysis indicated that both schema related activities and graphic organizers led to improvement of the listening comprehension performance of the participants. Moreover, the results of the independent samples t-test on the posttest scores of the two groups indicated that the participants who received graphic organizers as treatment outperformed the participants in the group which received schema related activities on the listening comprehension posttest

Security challenges in mobile assisted language learning in the millennium for education

Distance learning technologies enrich learning opportunities due to many advantages like ubiquity and flexibility. Although the usefulness of such technologies in teaching and learning is clear, their testing part is remained to be discussed due to the security issue. Administrators and teachers need to use more authentic and secure distant testing software in which the scores are guaranteed and the testees keep away from cheating. Static and online authentication systems like “username” and “password” and face detection have empowered educational parties to have more reliable testing outcomes. Mobile devices as the necessity of the new millennium need to use authentication software in their testing. Mobile devices with their multimedia course materials provide learners with many optimistic learning opportunities through collaboration, cooperation, interaction and testing. The unique chances of ubiquity, individualization, informality, and spontaneity make the mobile learning of particular importance not only for digital natives but also for teachers, administrators, developers, instructors, and policy makers. Yielding an economical learning opportunity along with providing authentic contexts for collaborative learning is beneficial for the economy of the country in general an d for the meaningful and deep learning of the learners. This paper will discuss how authentication techniques have applied to electronic devices like mobile phones

Predictors of Transition in Different Stages of Smoking: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract We investigated longitudinally the prevalence of smoking according to three stages of smoking (never smoking, experimenting the smoking, and regular smoking), the rates of transition from one stage to another one, and determinant predictors of transition through these stages of smoking. Of all 10th grade students in Tabriz, 1785 students were randomly selected and assessed twice, with a 12-month interval, with respect to the changes of stage. The predictor variables were measured when the students were in the 10th grade. Logistic regression and principal component analysis were used to analysis data at grade 11. Of 1785 students, 14.3% (CI 95%: 12.3-16.4) and 2.8% (CI 95%: 2.0-4.0) of the never smokers became experimenters and regular smokers, respectively and 16.5% (CI 95%: 12.4-21.7) of the experimenters became regular smokers. Among never smokers, participating in smoker groups (OR = 1.24), having smoker friends (OR = 1.85) and a positive attitude towards smoking (OR = 1.22) predicted experimentation; and participating in smokers groups (OR = 1.35) and a lower socioeconomic class (OR = 0.36) predicted regular smoking. Among experimenters, students having general high risk behaviors (OR = 2.56) and participating in smoker groups (OR = 2.58) were distinguished as those who progressed to regular smoking in follow-up. Programs aimed at smoking prevention and intervention should incorporate plans which focus on predictors of transition through smoking stages, and targeting participation in smoker groups

L1-Based Elicitation as a Valid Measure of L2 Classroom Performance Assessment: Multi-Method Mono-Trait Model of Validation

AbstractClassroom performance assessment has gained prominence parallel to the multiplicity of the purposes ahead of assessment. Of many, the major controversy, which was the motive behind this study, is the incorporation of L1-based elicitation as a valid measure of second language (L2) performance assessment. To shed empirical lights on this issue, this explanatory sequential mixed-methods research employed 87 Iranian intermediate EFL learners, whose L2 classroom performance was assessed through L1-based elicitation techniques. In order to validate this mechanism, multi-method mono-trait model (namely, Pearson correlation, structural equations, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, composite reliability and convergent validity) suggested by Henning and Mesick’s Unitary Concept of validity were applied. The results from these multiple sources of evidence yield support to their common consensus that L1-based elicitation techniques are valid measures of L2 performance assessment. The findings then offer legacy to the educational implications of L1-based mechanisms both in L2 instruction and assessment

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow with Real Viscosity in a Centrifugal Pump by SPH Method

In this paper, the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method with dynamic boundary condition has been used to simulate 3D Fluid flow in the centrifugal pump. Severe fluctuations in the field of pressure and velocity is one of the major problems in this method. In this paper, the fluctuations have been corrected using Delta and Shift algorithms. The simulation was numerically performed with real fluid viscosity (laminar and turbulence). Validation of this method indicated that in the case of real fluid viscosity, the Delta and Shift algorithms should be used simultaneously to obtain good agreement with the experimental data. To validate the pump results, a comparison was made between the numerical outputs and the performance curves of pump EN 125-315 of Pumpiran Company under relatively similar conditions. The results of this comparison showed that the error of simulation of pump head, consumption power and efficiency values compared with experimental data were about 12, 5.5 and 16 percent, respectively

Predictors of Transition in Different Stages of Smoking: A Longitudinal Study

AbstractBackground: We investigated longitudinally the prevalence of smoking according to three stages of smoking (never smoking, experimenting the smoking, and regular smoking), the rates of transition from one stage to another one, and determinant predictors of transition through these stages of smoking.Methods: Of all 10th grade students in Tabriz, 1785 students were randomly selected and assessed twice, with a 12-month interval, with respect to the changes of stage. The predictor variables were measured when the students were in the 10th grade. Logistic regression and principal component analysis were used to analysis data at grade 11.Findings: Of 1785 students, 14.3% (CI 95%: 12.3-16.4) and 2.8% (CI 95%: 2.0-4.0) of the never smokers became experimenters and regular smokers, respectively and 16.5% (CI 95%: 12.4-21.7) of the experimenters became regular smokers. Among never smokers, participating in smoker groups (OR = 1.24), having smoker friends (OR = 1.85) and a positive attitude towards smoking (OR = 1.22) predicted experimentation; and participating in smokers groups (OR = 1.35) and a lower socioeconomic class (OR = 0.36) predicted regular smoking. Among experimenters, students having general high risk behaviors (OR = 2.56) and participating in smoker groups (OR = 2.58) were distinguished as those who progressed to regular smoking in follow-up.Conclusion:Programs aimed at smoking prevention and intervention should incorporate plans which focus on predictors of transition through smoking stages, and targeting participation in smoker groups.Keyword: Smoking, Students, Risk-Taking, Longitudinal Studies, Peer Group, Epidemiology, Prevalence, Risk factor

Evaluating and Ranking the Firms in Chemical Industry Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange with TOPSIS

Due to the sublimation and perfection of human knowledge in economics, the concept of efficiency developed in the past two decades and the measurement of it, based on different theories and practice. In economics, efficiency means the maximum of possible output from a certain amount of input. The efficiency is very important for developing countries Because these countries face to a shortage of inputs, production factors and technologies. So the usage of existing resources is critical for these countries. This paper aims to evaluate and rank the financial performance of the chemical firms listed in Tehran stock exchange. We Use the data environment analysis and TOPSIS methods. This research includes one major question that which company performs better due to the financial ratios. The sample includes the firms in Tehran Stock Exchange within a 3-year period (2013-2015). The Results show that Ahvas Petrochemical company, Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry company and Iran Chemical Industries company are more efficient than others

Diabetic Retinopathy and Laser Therapy in Rats: A Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes which can cause vision loss or blindness ultimately. Non enzymatic glycation of proteins leads to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in DR. Since laser therapy is a well-established method, in this study, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is applied for protein targets in DR disease in rats treated by laser.Methods: In this study, we focused on articles that investigated and compared the proteome profiles of DR rats with healthy control and also DR rats before and after laser therapy. The networks of related differentially expressed proteins were explored using Cytoscape version 3.3.0, the PPI analysis methods and ClueGO.Results: Analysis of PPI network of 37 related proteins to DR rats including 108 nodes, introduced 10 hub-bottleneck proteins and 5 concerned biochemical pathways. On the other hand, PPI analysis of related proteins to DR rats before and after laser therapy corresponded to 33 proteins and 2 biological pathways.Discussion: Centrality and cluster screening identified hub-bottelneck genes, including Aldoa, HSPD1, Pgam2, Mapk3, SLC2A4, Ctnnb1, Ywhab, HSPA8, GAPDH and Actb for DR rats versus healthy control and ENO1, Aldoa, GAPDH for DR samples after laser therapy.Conclusion: Gene expression analysis of the DR samples treated via laser therapy provides a molecular evidence in support of the therapeutic effect of laser

Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality for 282 causes of death in 195 countries and territories, 1980-2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Global development goals increasingly rely on country-specific estimates for benchmarking a nation's progress. To meet this need, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016 estimated global, regional, national, and, for selected locations, subnational cause-specific mortality beginning in the year 1980. Here we report an update to that study, making use of newly available data and improved methods. GBD 2017 provides a comprehensive assessment of cause-specific mortality for 282 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1980 to 2017. Methods The causes of death database is composed of vital registration (VR), verbal autopsy (VA), registry, survey, police, and surveillance data. GBD 2017 added ten VA studies, 127 country-years of VR data, 502 cancer-registry country-years, and an additional surveillance country-year. Expansions of the GBD cause of death hierarchy resulted in 18 additional causes estimated for GBD 2017. Newly available data led to subnational estimates for five additional countries Ethiopia, Iran, New Zealand, Norway, and Russia. Deaths assigned International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for non-specific, implausible, or intermediate causes of death were reassigned to underlying causes by redistribution algorithms that were incorporated into uncertainty estimation. We used statistical modelling tools developed for GBD, including the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODErn), to generate cause fractions and cause specific death rates for each location, year, age, and sex. Instead of using UN estimates as in previous versions, GBD 2017 independently estimated population size and fertility rate for all locations. Years of life lost (YLLs) were then calculated as the sum of each death multiplied by the standard life expectancy at each age. All rates reported here are age-standardised. Findings At the broadest grouping of causes of death (Level 1), non-communicable diseases (NC Ds) comprised the greatest fraction of deaths, contributing to 73.4% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 72.5-74.1) of total deaths in 2017, while communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional (CMNN) causes accounted for 186% (17.9-19.6), and injuries 8.0% (7.7-8.2). Total numbers of deaths from NCD causes increased from 2007 to 2017 by 22.7% (21.5-23.9), representing an additional 7.61 million (7. 20-8.01) deaths estimated in 2017 versus 2007. The death rate from NCDs decreased globally by 7.9% (7.08.8). The number of deaths for CMNN causes decreased by 222% (20.0-24.0) and the death rate by 31.8% (30.1-33.3). Total deaths from injuries increased by 2.3% (0-5-4-0) between 2007 and 2017, and the death rate from injuries decreased by 13.7% (12.2-15.1) to 57.9 deaths (55.9-59.2) per 100 000 in 2017. Deaths from substance use disorders also increased, rising from 284 000 deaths (268 000-289 000) globally in 2007 to 352 000 (334 000-363 000) in 2017. Between 2007 and 2017, total deaths from conflict and terrorism increased by 118.0% (88.8-148.6). A greater reduction in total deaths and death rates was observed for some CMNN causes among children younger than 5 years than for older adults, such as a 36.4% (32.2-40.6) reduction in deaths from lower respiratory infections for children younger than 5 years compared with a 33.6% (31.2-36.1) increase in adults older than 70 years. Globally, the number of deaths was greater for men than for women at most ages in 2017, except at ages older than 85 years. Trends in global YLLs reflect an epidemiological transition, with decreases in total YLLs from enteric infections, respirator}, infections and tuberculosis, and maternal and neonatal disorders between 1990 and 2017; these were generally greater in magnitude at the lowest levels of the Socio-demographic Index (SDI). At the same time, there were large increases in YLLs from neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases. YLL rates decreased across the five leading Level 2 causes in all SDI quintiles. The leading causes of YLLs in 1990 neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, and diarrhoeal diseases were ranked second, fourth, and fifth, in 2017. Meanwhile, estimated YLLs increased for ischaemic heart disease (ranked first in 2017) and stroke (ranked third), even though YLL rates decreased. Population growth contributed to increased total deaths across the 20 leading Level 2 causes of mortality between 2007 and 2017. Decreases in the cause-specific mortality rate reduced the effect of population growth for all but three causes: substance use disorders, neurological disorders, and skin and subcutaneous diseases. Interpretation Improvements in global health have been unevenly distributed among populations. Deaths due to injuries, substance use disorders, armed conflict and terrorism, neoplasms, and cardiovascular disease are expanding threats to global health. For causes of death such as lower respiratory and enteric infections, more rapid progress occurred for children than for the oldest adults, and there is continuing disparity in mortality rates by sex across age groups. Reductions in the death rate of some common diseases are themselves slowing or have ceased, primarily for NCDs, and the death rate for selected causes has increased in the past decade. Copyright (C) 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe