The Effect of Story-based, L1 Translation, and Whatsapp Emoticon Puzzle-Solving Techniques on Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Proverb Learning

This study investigated the effect of story-based technique, L1 translation, and Whatsapp emoticon puzzle solving on EFL learners’ learning proverbs. From among 90 female intermediate level learners at two language institutes in Qom, Iran, 60 homogeneous students were chosen following the administration of a sample of Nelson proficiency test and a pre-test. The 60 participants were then assigned to three experimental groups, equal in number. The experimental group 1 was instructed using story-based technique; the experimental group 2 was taught through L1 translation; and the experimental group 3 was exposed to Whatsapp emoticon puzzle solving. Subsequently, all three groups took part in a proverb post-test similar to the pre-test. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. The results showed that Whatsapp emoticon puzzle solving was significantly the most effective, and that the students’ level of learning proverbs was influenced by story-based technique more than L1 translation technique. The findings of this study can contribute to technology- enhanced language teaching

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Abstract Three marine bacteria, Pseudomonas putida PTCC 1664, Bacillus cereus PTTC 1665 and Pseudomonas pseudoalkaligenes PTCC 1666 isolated from the East Anzali wetland sediments of the Caspian Sea, were resistant to heavy metals of Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Vanadium (V). Pseudomonas pseudoalkaligenes PTCC 1666 was found to be resistant to all 3 metals Ni, Cd, V. Heavy metal uptake was determined in both the biomass and supernatant by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). These bacteria showed enhanced absorption and growth in the presence of Cd and Ni at 80-100 mg/l and V at 40 mg/l concentrations. The high uptake of Cd, Ni and V was directly proportional to their respective concentrations, 5-100 mg/l for Cd and Ni and 5 -40 mg/l for V. The maximum amount of heavy metal uptake occurred during stationary phase when cells were incubated at 30°C for 72h. The results revealed that these bacteria accumulated approximately 40-50% Cd, 5-6% Ni and 10-12% V. Bacterial cells Immobilized in alginate gel showed more efficiency in biosorbing heavy metals than free cells (80%). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the marine bacteria were capable of accumulating several metals, showing that the isolated bacterial strains can be used as potential candidates for bioremediation, with respect to Cd, Ni and V removal from aqueous effluents

Investigating the response mechanisms of bread wheat mutants to salt stress

Abstract Mutation breeding is among the most critical approaches to promoting genetic diversity when genetic diversity is narrowed for a long time using traditional breeding methods. In the current study, 15 wheat mutants created by gamma radiation and three salt-tolerant wheat cultivars were studied under no salinity stress (Karaj) and salinity stress (Yazd) during three consecutive growing seasons from 2017 to 2020 (M05 to M07 generations mutants). Results showed that salinity induced lipid peroxidation and enhanced ion leakage in all genotypes however, M6 and M15 showed the least ion leakage increment. It was also observed that the activity of antioxidant enzymes including SOD, CAT, POX, APX and GR increased with salinity; the maximum increase in antioxidant activity was belonged to M15, M09, M06 and M05. All genotypes had higher protein content in salinity stress conditions; M07 and M12 showed the lowest (1.8%) and the highest (17.3%) protein increase, respectively. Zeleny sedimentation volume increased under salinity stress conditions in all genotypes except M06, C2, C3, and M07. The result indicated that salinity stress increased wet gluten in all genotypes. M10 and M08 showed the highest (47.8%) and the lowest (4%) wet gluten increment, respectively. M06 and M11 mutants showed the lowest (6.1%) and the highest (60.7%) decrement of grain yield due to salinity stress, respectively. Finally, M04, M05, M07, M13, and M14 were known as genotypes with high grain yield in both no salinity and salinity stress conditions. In other word, these genotypes have higher yield stability. The results of the current study revealed that gamma irradiation could effectively be used to induce salinity tolerance in wheat

A Study On The Frequency Of Different Types Of Optical Low Vision Aids Prescribed For Low Vision Patients Examined In The Clinic Of Optometry, Faculty Of Rehabilitation Sciences Shahid Beheshti University Of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1387

Background and Aim: Different diseases can be the cause of low vision. In the case of low vision, visual acuity with conventional optical devices such as glasses and contact lenses is between” 20/70 to 20/200”. To improve the visual performance in these patients, low vision aids are prescribed.The types of prescribed low vision aids vary in different diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine the type and frequency of optical aids prescribed for low vision patients examined in optometry clinic of Rehabilitation faculty of shahid Beheshti University in 1387. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 204 low vision patients went under investigation. In the present study variables including type and rate of refractive error, visual acuity with the best correction, type of diseases and type of prescribed optical low vision aids were investigated.Results: The frequency of prescribed distance glasses in diabetic retinopathy was 97%, age related macular degeneration 86.2%, Stargarts 92%, retinitis pigmentosa 86.4% and albinism 88.2%, Also the frequency of prescribed microscope in diabetic retinopathy was 81.82% , age related macular degeneration 48.27%, Stargarts 40% , retinitis pigmentosa 35.3% , albinism 35.3% and the frequency of prescribed magnifier in diabetic retinopathy was18.18%, age related macular degeneration 24.12% , Stargarts 52%, retinitis pigmentosa18.18% and albinism 29.4%.Conclusion: In many low vision conditions, it is more suitable to prescribe distance glasses rather than telescope. In this study the distance glass with the frequency of 84.8% is seen more acceptable in comparison with the telescope with the frequency of 41.7%. Among near optical low vision aids, microscope with the frequency of 50.5% is more accepted by the patients compared to magnifier with the frequency of 26% and CCTV with the frequency of 0.50%