WRITING INTRODUCTION SECTIONS OF RESEARCH ARTICLES IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS: CROSS-LINGUISTIC STUDY OF NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE WRITERS

Genre studies allow researchers to observe the repeated communicative functions and their linguistic components in different genres (Brett, 1994). Writing the introduction section is a tough and burdensome task for both native and non-native speakers (Swales Feak, 1994). Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the generic organization of English research article introductions written by native English and Iranian non-native speakers of English. A total of 160 published articles were selected from established journals in Applied Linguistics. Following Swales’ (2004) Create A Research Space (CARS) model, the researchers analyzed the articles for their specific generic patterns. Findings displayed that native English writers used significantly more strategies than Iranian non-native speakers of English, yielding richer texts. The findings of the present study contribute to the current knowledge of cross-cultural studies in academic writing to non-native English speakers in general and to non-native English novice writers in particular. Built on Swales’ (2004) CARS model, the study describes how introduction sections are developed in English by native and non-native speakers, offering insights into ESP/EAP writing pedagogy

The Role of Low-Level Laser in Periodontal Surgeries

Treatment protocols with low-level Laser (also called ‘soft laser therapy) have been used in health care systems for more than three decades. Bearing in mind the suitable sub-cellular absorption and the cellular-vascular impacts, low-level laser may be a treatment of choice for soft tissues. Low-level lasers have played crucial and colorful roles in performing periodontal surgeries. Their anti-inflammatory and painless effects have been variously reported in in-vitro studies. In this present review article, searches have been made in Pub Med, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, focusing on the studies which included low-level lasers, flap-periodontal surgeries, gingivectomy, and periodontal graft. The present study has sought to review the cellular impacts of low-level lasers and its role on reducing pain and inflammation following soft tissue surgical treatments.  

Deep Learning of Explainable EEG Patterns as Dynamic Spatiotemporal Clusters and Rules in a Brain-Inspired Spiking Neural Network.

The paper proposes a new method for deep learning and knowledge discovery in a brain-inspired Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) architecture that enhances the model’s explainability while learning from streaming spatiotemporal brain data (STBD) in an incremental and on-line mode of operation. This led to the extraction of spatiotemporal rules from SNN models that explain why a certain decision (output prediction) was made by the model. During the learning process, the SNN created dynamic neural clusters, captured as polygons, which evolved in time and continuously changed their size and shape. The dynamic patterns of the clusters were quantitatively analyzed to identify the important STBD features that correspond to the most activated brain regions. We studied the trend of dynamically created clusters and their spike-driven events that occur together in specific space and time. The research contributes to: (1) enhanced interpretability of SNN learning behavior through dynamic neural clustering; (2) feature selection and enhanced accuracy of classification; (3) spatiotemporal rules to support model explainability; and (4) a better understanding of the dynamics in STBD in terms of feature interaction. The clustering method was applied to a case study of Electroencephalogram (EEG) data, recorded from a healthy control group (n = 21) and opiate use (n = 18) subjects while they were performing a cognitive task. The SNN models of EEG demonstrated different trends of dynamic clusters across the groups. This suggested to select a group of marker EEG features and resulted in an improved accuracy of EEG classification to 92%, when compared with all-feature classification. During learning of EEG data, the areas of neurons in the SNN model that form adjacent clusters (corresponding to neighboring EEG channels) were detected as fuzzy boundaries that explain overlapping activity of brain regions for each group of subjects

Effectiveness of interventions in the prevention of home injuries among children under 5 years of age: A systematic review

Background: Injuries caused by home injuries in children under 5 years of age is one of the main causes of death in this group and also constitutes a significant public health burden. This review aimed at summarizing the literature on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent home injuries in children under 5 years of age. Methods: Magiran, Iran Medex, and SID in Persian Scientific databases and BioMed Central, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched for articles published up to June 2016. Then, two researchers reviewed the papers independently and finally, 14 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results: The results showed the effectiveness of intervention measures including training sessions at home, home visit, group discussions, and interviews as the educational tools. The educational approach was used as the intervention in 11 studies; legislative/incentive approach and engineering/technology approaches had not been used in papers; and three studies had used the educational intervention and engineering/technological approaches. Conclusions: Most of the effective inventions included studies that used the combination of effective methods to reduce the risk of injuries. Since the accidents are preventable, the appropriate intervention strategies, especially active intervention or a combination of interventional measures are effective to reduce the risk of home accidents and injuries in children

Comparison of the Antibacterial Effect of 810 nm Diode Laser and Photodynamic Therapy in Reducing the Microbial Flora of Root Canal in Endodontic Retreatment in Patients With Periradicular Lesions

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the antibacterial efficacy of diode laser 810nm and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing bacterial microflora in endodontic retreatment of teeth with periradicular lesion.Methods: In this in vivo clinical trial, 20 patients who needed endodontic retreatment were selected. After conventional chemo mechanical preparation of root canals, microbiological samples were taken with sterile paper point (PP), held in thioglycollate broth, and then were transferred to the microbiological lab. In the first group, PDT with methylene blue (MB) and diode laser (810 nm, 0.2 W, 40 seconds) was performed and in the second group diode laser (810 nm, 1.2 W, 30 seconds) was irradiated. Then second samples were taken from all canals.Results: CFU/ml amounts showed statistically significant reduction in both groups (P < 0.001). CFU/ml amounts were compared between the two groups and there was no statistical difference.Conclusion: PDT and diode laser 810 nm irradiation are effective methods for root canal disinfection. PDT is a suitable alternative for diode laser 810 nm irradiation, because of lower thermal risk on root dentin

The Effects of Neurofeedback and Play Therapy on Dynamic Balance in 4-10 years old Children with Diplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Dynamic balance is one of the most important challenges for kids who suffer from cerebral palsy especially diplegic spastic ones. Therefore, this study designed to compare the neurofeedback and play therapy training on dynamic balance in 4-10 years old diplegic spastic cerebral palsy kids. Methods: Quasi-experimental with three groups and pre-posttest design. This study has involved 26 spastic diplegia cerebral palsy children in 1st and 2nd grades, according to the GMFCS protocol. The researcher performed first, initial tests to evaluate the patient’s equilibrium level, by using the PBS assessment instruments. To investigate the study goals, the patients were divided into two groups with a two-study method of neurofeedback and play therapy. Each group has done their special exercises during 10 sessions in 2 weeks for the first group and 20 sessions in 4 weeks for the second time and finally, the PBS test was repeated. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive and argumentative statistics by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, Wilcoxon test, and one-way and two-way ANOVA test. All of these analyzes were done by SPSS software. Results: The study’s results confirm that play therapy has shown a meaningful effect (Pvalue=0.042), while the effect of the neurofeedback method does not represent any legal effect on one’s dynamic balance. In the case of the dynamic balance, the play therapy group has shown better operation in post-tests compared with the neurofeedback group. Conclusions: As results show the play therapy method has shown a meaningful effect on dynamic balance so it has been suggested to improving elderlies balance. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Neurofeedback, Play therapy, Statistic equivalent, Dynamic equivalent

The Effects of Neurofeedback and Play Therapy on Dynamic Balance in 4-10 years old Children with Diplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Dynamic balance is one of the most important challenges for kids who suffer from cerebral palsy especially diplegic spastic ones. Therefore, this study designed to compare the neurofeedback and play therapy training on dynamic balance in 4-10 years old diplegic spastic cerebral palsy kids. Methods: Quasi-experimental with three groups and pre-posttest design. This study has involved 26 spastic diplegia cerebral palsy children in 1st and 2nd grades, according to the GMFCS protocol. The researcher performed first, initial tests to evaluate the patient’s equilibrium level, by using the PBS assessment instruments. To investigate the study goals, the patients were divided into two groups with a two-study method of neurofeedback and play therapy. Each group has done their special exercises during 10 sessions in 2 weeks for the first group and 20 sessions in 4 weeks for the second time and finally, the PBS test was repeated. Primary data were analyzed using descriptive and argumentative statistics by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, Wilcoxon test, and one-way and two-way ANOVA test. All of these analyzes were done by SPSS software. Results: The study’s results confirm that play therapy has shown a meaningful effect (Pvalue=0.042), while the effect of the neurofeedback method does not represent any legal effect on one’s dynamic balance. In the case of the dynamic balance, the play therapy group has shown better operation in post-tests compared with the neurofeedback group. Conclusions: As results show the play therapy method has shown a meaningful effect on dynamic balance so it has been suggested to improving elderlies balance. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Neurofeedback, Play therapy, Statistic equivalent, Dynamic equivalent

CO2 sequestration using red gypsum via pH-swing process : Effect of carbonation temperature and NH4HCO3 on the process efficiency

The authors would like to appreciate the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran for the provision of the laboratory facilities necessary for completing this work. We would also like to thank Dr. Peter Dunning from University of Aberdeen for English proofreading of this manuscript.Peer reviewedPostprin