ESP vocabulary instruction: a comparison of CBI vs. GTM for Iranian management students

Vocabulary learning is an essential part of the language learning process. This study aimed at investigating the effects of two different methods of English for Specific Purpose (ESP) instruction, namely, the Content-based Instruction (CBI) and traditional Grammar Translation Method (GTM) on Iranian ESP students’ technical vocabulary learning. To this end, two intact classes of specialized English for management students in Gowgan Azad University were randomly assigned into two groups (N= 29 participants in each), and their homogeneity was confirmed by Comprehensive English Language Test. Group A was instructed based on CBI, while group B was instructed according to GTM principles. The data were collected through a teacher made management vocabulary test which applied both as pre-test and post-test. Following a pre-test, the two groups received different instructions during 10 sessions, and then a post-test was given. The obtained data was analyzed using paired samples t-test to compare the effects of CBI and GTM on ESP vocabulary learning. The results indicated a significant propriety of CBI over GTM in improving vocabulary knowledge of the ESP students. Some justifications for this priority were discussed to be the ESP students’ more cognitive engagement and negotiation of meaning in a CBI based classroom

Prevalence of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in Iranian Clinical Specimens: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Although, nontuberculous mycobacteria can cause disease in different organisms, theyusually are not reported in most countries because scientists in general consider them as non-pathogens.But, increasing nontuberculous mycobacteria diseases occurrence has changed this belief. Nevertheless,there is no meta-analysis review about prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in Iran.Methods: Any data about prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in clinical specimens in Iranwere retrieved by searching data bases such as Pub Med, MEDLINE, and Iranian data bases. Then themeta-analysis was performed by comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA).Results: The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in the clinicalspecimens in Iran was 1.3%. In the studies that had sample size less than 300, and in studies conductedafter 2004, the prevalence was higher. Also, the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria was higherin the West of Iran. In this study, the most prevalent rapid-growing mycobacterium was Mycobacterium.fortuitum and most prevalent slow-growing mycobacterium was M. simiae with the prevalence 44.2%and 14.3%, respectively.Conclusion: M. simiae is the most prevalent nontuberculous mycobacteria in the clinical specimensin Iran. As this species of nontuberculous mycobacteria has similar clinical and radiologicalmanifestations with tuberculosis, it is often treated as tuberculosis. Unfortunately, M. simiae is resistantagainst first-line anti-TB drugs resulting in treatment failure after using routine anti-TB medication.Therefore, there is an urgent need for application of new diagnostic strategy for identification ofnontuberculous mycobacteria species.</span

Effects of Administration of Monosodium Glutamate and Methylphenidate on the Histologic Structure of Testicular Tissue and Microscopic Indices of Spermatogenesis in Adolescent Rats

Introduction: Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the common medications used for maintaining alertness and improving attention. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive, which acts as an enhancer of palatability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the various effects of these compounds on the reproductive system during adolescence.   Materials and Methods: Methylphenidate (5 and 10 mg/kg) and monosodium glutamate (6 and 60 mg/kg) were administrated to adolescent rats. After 60 days, the pituitary-testicular axis hormones were assayed and testicular histomorphometric studies were performed.   Findings: The coadministration of MPH (5 mg/kg) and MSG (60 mg/kg) led to elevation in serum FSH levels (P0.05). The administration of MSG led to a reduction in the population of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocyte. Coadministration of MPH and MSG also reduced this population. Morphometric studies revealed decrement of tubular diameter and germinal epithelium height (P<0.05), especially with low doses of MPH and high doses of MSG. The changes in spermatogenic indices were similar to morphometric results. Tubular atrophy, interstitial edema, and depopulation of spermatogenic cells were observed in MPH and MSG treated groups. Coadministration of these compounds increased spermatids with pyknotic nucleus.   Conclusion: It has been concluded that the coadministration of MPH and MSG through the induction of some hormonal and structural alterations could induce some changes in the normal structure and function of the reproductive system

The classification of WebQual dimensions based on the asymmetric impact-performance of Kano\'s customer satisfaction model: A case study of the Tehran virtual university website

The extension of the Internet and World Wide Web has created new opportunities as well as new challenges for institutions and individuals who are either receiving or delivering education. Electronic learning is one of the most important breakthroughs in education in which the website is the first access point that users receive educational services provided. Therefore, website quality should be considered as an important factor resulted in the success of virtual learning and studied in a more detailed manner from the e-learners&rsquo; perspective. This paper aims to classify the quality aspects of the Tehran virtual university website (webqual 4.0) according to the Kano model of customer satisfaction and determine the asymmetric impact of the webqual 4.0 dimensions&rsquo; performance on overall user satisfaction in order to prioritize those dimensions in resource allocation, as well as sensitize the managers of the mentioned website. This is a descriptive-survey and applied study, and also a cross-sectional one. The study population included Tehran University students studying in virtual courses and the data collection tool was the questionnaire of webqual 4.0, as well as, a researcher-made questionnaire to measure end-user satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of performance asymmetry. The result showed that usability dimension was the high-performance excitement factor, information quality dimension was a high-performing basic factor, and service interaction dimension had low performance scores and was a basic factor. And finally, a short-term plan to improve service interaction dimension to reduce user discontent and a long-term plan to better both information quality and usability dimensions to increase user satisfaction was proposed

Data quality assessment in emergency medical services: an objective approach

Abstract Background In emergency medical services, high quality data are of great importance for patient care. Due to the unique nature of this type of services, the purpose of this study was to assess data quality in emergency medical services using an objective approach. Methods This was a retrospective quantitative study conducted in 2019. The research sample included the emergency medical records of patients who referred to three emergency departments by the pre-hospital emergency care services (n = 384). Initially a checklist was designed based on the data elements of the triage form, pre-hospital emergency care form, and emergency medical records. Then, data completeness, accuracy and timeliness were assessed. Results Data completeness in the triage form, pre-hospital emergency care form, and emergency medical records was 52.3%, 70% and 57.3%, respectively. Regarding data accuracy, most of the data elements were consistent. Measuring data timeliness showed that in some cases, paper-based ordering and computer-based data entry was not sequential. Conclusion Data quality in emergency medical services was not satisfactory and there were some weaknesses in the documentation processes. The results of this study can inform the clinical and administrative staff to pay more attentions to these weaknesses and plan for data quality improvement