A cross-disciplinary analysis of thematic structure of dissertation abstracts

The ways by which the academic texts are investigated differ from time to time with legacies of each tradition influencing the subsequent approaches. One of the approaches that has not lost its favor ever since it was established is the Australian Systemic Functional tradition. Based on the descriptions provided by this tradition, in this study, the thematic structure (Halliday, 1994) of the gap indication move and the Introduction section (Swales, 2004) of 120 dissertation abstracts from six disciplines was investigated at two levels, i.e. choice of theme type and thematic progression. The simple topical theme was recognized as the typical theme of the rhetorical units in focus across the six disciplines. With respect to the thematic progression, the theme-reiteration and zig-zag patterns were found to be the characteristic patterns. These results indicate that the language of abstracts is remarkably factual and far from abstraction

A Review on Factors Effecting on Tourism Policy Implementation: A tool on the Development of the Tourism Industry in Islamic Republic of Iran

Tourism is one of the most profitable businesses of the world. This industry now is considered as a leading industry in many countries due to faster growth than other sectors of the economy and creates numerous job opportunities. Because tourism is a ‘mixed industry’ comprised of private firms, public agencies and not-for-profit associations, a sustainable tourism industry requires a commitment by all parties involved in the planning process. This paper with the guidance of the synthesis approach (complex of both top-down and bottom-up perspectives) and by considering studies in tourism policy, had been reviewed the effective factors influencing policy implementation in tourism industry of Islamic republic of Iran. It was found that five factors including: public policy, macro & micro environment, institutional arrangements, inter-organizational relations and inter-organizational coordination and interest groups were influential in the implementation of tourism policy. In this regard Iran should identify its weaknesses and remove problems by create intelligent policies, planning and careful execution of these policies that is considered as a fundamental requirement in country, promote income level of the target areas especially in under-developed parts of country and considers sustainable development in different areas of this industry as an undeniable necessity. Keywords: Public Policy, Macro & Micro environment, Institutional arrangements, Inter-organizational relations and inter organizational coordination, Interest group

Comparison of meristic traits in Transcaucasian chub (Squalius turcicus De Filippi, 1865) from Caspian Sea basin

For comparison of meristic characters of Squalius turcicus, in 12 rivers of Caspian Sea basin, 535 specimens were captured. Some 14 meristic characters were counted. Classification of meristic characters showed that most specimens of all populations have 8 soft dorsal rays, 9 soft anal rays, 19 branched caudal fin rays, 15 soft pectoral rays, 9 soft pelvic rays, 41-47 lateral line scales, 7-9 scales above LL, 3-5 scales below LL, 18-21 predorsal scales and 14-16 circumpeduncle scales. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in means of all meristic characters except dorsal, pelvic and pectoral fin spins between the populations. The PCA and CVA showed overlapping among the populations, although some populations were separated from the others. Also, cluster analysis divided Divandareh River population in a separate group and it was distinct from other populations. Generally, the results of meristic characters cannot well-separate the populations of this species from each other

Effects of exercise on reverse cholesterol transport: A systemized narrative review of animal studies

Reverse Cholesterol Transport (RCTr) is the mechanism by which excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues is transported to the liver for hepatobiliary excretion, thereby inhibiting foam cell formation and the development of atherosclerosis. Exercise affects RCTr, by influencing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) through remodeling and by promoting hepatobiliary sterol excretion. The objectives of this systematized review of animal studies is to summarize the literature and provide an overview of the effects of chronic exercise (at least two weeks) on apolipoproteins (Apo A-I, Apo-E), Paraoxonase-1 (PON1), ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG4, ABCG5, ABCG8), scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1). Three electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar) were searched for eligible studies conducted from the earliest available date to August 2018. Most of studies investigate the effects of low to moderate intensity aerobic training on RCTr elements. The majority were on exercised rats undertaking moderate intensity aerobic training. This review highlights that moderate intensity and longer-term training has a greater effect on RCTr elements than low intensity training. There a few studies examining high intensity training which warrants further investigation. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Experience of 138 Transurethral Urethrotomy With Holmium:YAG Laser

Introduction: Many valid option modalities are available for the management of urethral stricture disease (USD), such as internal urethrotomy which has the success rates of 33%–60%. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of holmium: YAG (Ho: YAG) laser urethrotomy (HLU).Methods: One hundred thirty-eight patients with urethral stricture with the mean age of 48±3.03 years old treated by HLU from March 2011 to August 2017. The main purpose of this investigation was to evaluate mean operation time, stricture recurrence rate and post-operation Qmax and complications of transurethral HLU.Results: The most common cause of USD was trauma in 82 (59.4%) patients. Mean laser operation time, mean hospital stay and mean postoperative duration of catheterization were 23.08 ± 9.1 minutes, 19.02 ± 10.7 hours and 10.3 ± 1.05 days respectively. The mean Qmax was 8.3 ± 2.07 mL/s before surgery and 16 ±3.1 mL/s afterward. At the end of 12 months follow-up, a total of 37 (26.8%) patients developed recurrence of the stricture. Patients with posterior, longer urethral strictures and previous history of interventions have more recurrence rate of the stricture.Conclusion: HLU is minimally invasive and seems to be an effective and safe management option for primary, short, urethral strictures. The hospital stay is remarkably short and complications are negligible

The preventive effects of natural adjuvants, G2 and G2F on tracheal responsiveness and serum IL-4 and IFN-? (th1/th2 balance) in sensitized guinea pigs

OBJECTIVE: The effects of natural adjuvants on lung inflammation and tracheal responsiveness were examined in sensitized guinea pigs. METHODS: The responses of guinea pig tracheal chains and the serum levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma were examined in control pigs and three other groups of guinea pigs: the sensitized group and two other sensitized groups treated with either adjuvant G2 or adjuvant G2F (n = 7 for each group). Sensitization of the animals was achieved by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin. RESULTS: The results showed that sensitized animals had increased tracheal responsiveness and increased serum levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma compared to controls (

Occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters: the mediating effect of depression and job burnout

The firefighting profession carries a heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders. A firefighter’s job is physically demanding and includes activities such as running, climbing, dragging, and lifting. Often, these tasks are unpredictable, performed in harsh environments, and have been found to cause psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational stress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in firefighters. In addition, the mediating effects of depression and job burnout on proposed relationships were examined. Data informing this study were collected using a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Maslach BurnoutInventory, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Inventory (PCL), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling approach in AMOS. The results of the 2339 responding firefighters suggest that work related stress is positively related to WRMSDs in firefighters and can lead to musculoskeletal symptoms through four paths,being emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, CES-D total score, and depersonalization. Through depersonalization, job stress had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.053). Furthermore, the results showed that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) can affect musculoskeletal symptoms through ten paths, again through depersonalization, PTSD had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.141). The results of this study suggest that organizations should design interventions and policies to prevent and manage occupational stress, depression, and job burnout to negate its undesired consequences on firefighters’ health (i.e. WRMSD)

Comparison of Stone Retrieval Basket, Stone Cone and Holmium Laser: Which One Is Better in Retropulsion and Stone-Free Status for Patients with Upper Ureteral Calculi?

Introduction: Transurethral lithotripsy (TUL) is an appropriate treatment for ureteral stones and is usually used for stones in the middle and lower part of the ureter. Different devices such as Holmium laser, stone basket and stone cone exist to prevent any fragments from retropulsion during TUL. The present study aims to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the Holmium laser, stone basket and stone cone. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from September 2016 to January 2018 comparing various TUL methods in 88 subjects with proximal ureteral calculi. The study participants were devided into four matched groups. The first one included 20 patients undergoing TUL with no device (Group 1), the second group included 22 patients undergoing TUL while using the stone retrieval basket, the third group included 18 patients undergoing TUL while utilizing the stone cone and the fourth group included 28 patients undergoing TUL while using Hol-YAG laser. Results: A residual stone ≥ 3 mm was recorded in 15.9% of the patients. stone free rate were seen in 100%, 90.9, 83.3%and 55% in Holmium laser group, retrieval basket group, stone cone group and no device group respectively(p:0.001). Lowest rate of surgery complications including ureteral perforation, Post-operative fever and mucosal damage between 4 groups (p: 0.003) and highest time of surgery (p: 0.001) belong to laser group. If we want to ignore the laser group, success rate for lithotripsy was better in both groups with stone retrieval device compared to the no device group, but no advantage existed between stone basket and stone cone. Conclusion:We can safely conclude that laser significantly help to prevent stone migration during TUL. If we want to ignore the laser group, success rate for lithotripsy was significantly better in both groups with stone retrieval device compared to the no device group, but no advantage existed between stone basket and stone cone

E-Readiness Assessment at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: E-readiness assessment is the evaluation of one’s ability to accept and use information technologies and their relevant applications. E-readiness assessment helps us identify and study the strengths and weaknesses and consequently find solutions and formulate strategies to improve e-readiness which is considered as a guarantee for the implementation of knowledge development programs. This study aimed to assess ereadiness at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The current research is an analytical study using a questionnaire designed by the researchers to assess e-readiness at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2010-2011. Using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, the questionnaire reliability was estimated 0.85. Researchers have randomly selected 520 of managers, IT experts, professors and students at Tabriz university of Medical Sciences. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: In general, the academic staff, students, managers and IT experts have assessed e-readiness as good, measuring 54.46±9.63. Conclusion: The study showed that the overall e-readiness rates were good at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and suitable platforms were also provided for the University to enter into the field of IT. The condition will further improve if the officials dedicate more attention and support to the activities of Computer Department

Micropropagation of strawberry cv. camarosa: prolific shoot regeneration from in vitro shoot tips using thidiazuron with N6-benzylamino-purine

An efficient micropropagation system for strawberry cv. Camarosa was developed. Sterilized runner tips were cultured on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3% sucrose, 1 mL L-1 Plant Preservative Mixture, and solidified using 0.25% phytagel to produce in vitro stock plants. Shoot tips derived from the in vitro stock plants were cultured on MS media containing 0, 2, 4, and 8 mM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0, 4,9,18, and 27 mM N6-benzylamino-purine (BAP) for shoot induction. Shoots produced on the best shoot induction medium were rooted on MS media containing 1, 2, 3, and 5 mM of either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Results showed that MS medium with 2 mM TDZ and 4 mM BAP was optimum for shoot multiplication from the shoot tips. The most suitable medium for inducing the highest number of roots per explant, the highest percentage of explant with roots, and the highest mean root length were 1 mM NAA, 1 mM IBA, and hormone-free MS medium, re-spectively. Plantlets were transplanted into substrate consisting of perlite + vermiculite + cocopeat (2:1:2 v/v/v) resulting in 90% survival. After 1 month, plants were irrigated using Hoagland's solution and runners were produced after 3 months