A ANÁLISE DO DISCURSO CRÍTICO DA REPRESENTAÇÃO DE GÊNERO NOS LIVROS DE INGLÊS DE HIGH SCHOOLS IRANIANO: : O MODELO FAIRCLOUGH EM FOCO

The present study adopted an exploratory critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach to examine gender representation in Iranian government mandatory high school ELT textbooks using Fairclough model. Considering the model, female and male characters’ visibility, semantic, domestic, and social roles, activities, and pictorial representations in the textbooks were scrutinized. These factors were described, interpreted, and explained both qualitatively and quantitatively. Additionally, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 30 experienced high school educators and their responses were coded, scrutinized, and interpreted. The findings revealed the permanence of male dominance in the textbooks and that the gender bias in educational materials would have strong socio-cultural effects on students’ mind sets, future careers, and fields of study. The findings highlight the must to address gender inequalities as one of the most crucial socio-cultural concerns of Iran EFL educational textbooks.O presente estudo adotou uma abordagem exploratória de análise crítica do discurso (CDA) para examinar a representação de gênero nos livros didáticos de ELT do ensino médio obrigatório do governo iraniano usando o modelo Fairclough. Considerando o modelo, a visibilidade dos personagens femininos e masculinos, papéis semânticos, domésticos e sociais, atividades e representações pictóricas nos livros didáticos foram escrutinados. Esses fatores foram descritos, interpretados e explicados qualitativa e quantitativamente. Além disso, uma entrevista semiestruturada foi realizada com 30 educadores experientes do ensino médio e suas respostas foram codificadas, examinadas e interpretadas. As descobertas revelaram a permanência do domínio masculino nos livros didáticos e que o viés de gênero nos materiais educacionais teria fortes efeitos socioculturais nas mentalidades dos alunos, futuras carreiras e campos de estudo. As descobertas destacam a necessidade de abordar as desigualdades de gênero como uma das preocupações sócio-culturais mais cruciais dos livros didáticos educacionais de EFL do Irã

The retention characteristics of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers with different retention protocols

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different protocols of wearing vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) with the standard protocol of wearing Hawley retainer in maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment. This single-blind randomized clinical trial consisted of 90 patients who finished orthodontic treatment at the Department of Orthodontics of Mashhad Dental School, and required removable retainers. The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups and received the following treatments. Group 1: Hawley retainers (4 months full-time and then night-only); group 2: VFR_4M (4 months full-time and then night-only); group 3: VFR_1W (1 week full-time and then night-only). The study models were prepared after debond and at 4 and 8 months later, and intercanine width, intermolar width, arch length and the Little?s irregularity index were compared between groups. No significant differences were found in intercanine and intermolar widths between groups (P<05). Upper arch length was significantly lower in Hawley group than the two VFR groups (p<0.05), but lower arch length values were comparable. Upper irregularity index was significantly lower in two VFR groups compared to Hawley group (p<0.05), whereas in the lower jaw, only VFR_4M group showed significantly lower crowding than Hawley group (p<0.05). Both retention regimens of VFRs were more effective than Hawley retainer in maintaining arch length and tooth alignment in the upper arch. For better incisor alignment in the lower jaw, the patients should be advocated to wear VFR 4 months full-time and then at night instead of wearing Hawley retainer

The Effect of Early Passive Range of Motion Exercise on Motor Function of People with Stroke: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Frequent and regular exercises in the first six months of stroke may cause return of a significant portion of sensory and motor function of patients. This study aimed to examine the effects of passive range of motion exercise in the acute phase after stroke on motor function of the patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. The patients with first ischemic stroke were randomly allocated to either experimental (n=33) or control (n=19) group. Passive range of motion exercises was performed in the experimental group during the first 48 hours of admission as 6 to 8 times of 30 minute exercise. Before intervention, and one and three months after intervention, motor function were measured by muscle strength grading scale (Oxford scale) and compared. SPSS version 13.0 for Windows was used for statistical analysis. Frequency distribution was used to describe the data. For comparisons, paired t-test, independent t-test was used, and repeated measures test was used. Results: In acute phase, the intervention in the experimental group led to significant improvement of motor function between the first and third month in both the upper and lower extremities. In control group, improvement was observed only in the muscle strength of upper extremity in the first and third month compared to pre-intervention measurement. The greatest improvement was observed in the interval from base to one month in the upper extremity, and base to the first month and the first to the third month in the lower extremity. Conclusion: It is recommended to use early passive range of motion exercise as part of care for people with stroke during the acute phase of the disease

A Bi-objective Pre-emption Multi-mode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with due Dates in the Activities

In this paper, a novel mathematical model for a preemption multi-mode multi-objective resource-constrained project scheduling problem with distinct due dates and positive and negative cash flows is presented. Although optimization of bi-objective problems with due dates is an essential feature of real projects, little effort has been made in studying the P-MMRCPSP while due dates are included in the activities. This paper tries to bridge this gap by studying tardiness MMRCPSP, in which the objective is to minimize total weighted tardiness and to maximize the net present value (NPV). In order to solve the given problem, we introduced a Non-dominated Ranking Genetic Algorithm (NRGA) and Non-Dominated Sort Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). Since the effectiveness of most meta-heuristic algorithms significantly depends on choosing the proper parameters. A Taguchi experimental design method was applied to set and estimate the proper values of GAs parameters for improving their performances. To prove the efficiency of our proposed meta-heuristic algorithms, a number of test problems taken from the project scheduling problem library (PSPLIB) were solved. The computational results show that the proposed NSGA-II outperforms the NRGA

A study on the relationship between human development and intellectual and human capital in banking industry

In the current era, the main challenge of managers is to provide an environment suitable for development of human minds in the science-based organizations. Therefore, their ability in knowledge management and intellectual capital management has become a substantial skill of managers in these organizations. The purpose of this paper is to consider the relationship between human development index and intellectual and human capital. In the paper, pulic Model 2000 has been used to measure intellectual capital. Also, in order to collect data, information of 7 banks, which have been accepted in Tehran stock market during 2007-2011 (35 firm years), has been analyzed by using statistical method of data panel in STATA and EVIEWS softwares. The results of the study show that there is no significant relationship between human development and intellectual capital. Moreover, the results indicate that the relationship between human development and human capital is not significant

A study on the relationship between human development and intellectual and human capital in banking industry

In the current era, the main challenge of managers is to provide an environment suitable for development of human minds in the science-based organizations. Therefore, their ability in knowledge management and intellectual capital management has become a substantial skill of managers in these organizations. The purpose of this paper is to consider the relationship between human development index and intellectual and human capital. In the paper, pulic Model 2000 has been used to measure intellectual capital. Also, in order to collect data, information of 7 banks, which have been accepted in Tehran stock market during 2007-2011 (35 firm years), has been analyzed by using statistical method of data panel in STATA and EVIEWS softwares. The results of the study show that there is no significant relationship between human development and intellectual capital. Moreover, the results indicate that the relationship between human development and human capital is not significant

Investigation of genes associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using expression profile analysis

Glaucoma is recognized as one of the most common causes of global blindness observed in various types such as primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This condition is characterized by progressive optic neuropathy, leading to damage of optic nerve fibers. Having no symptoms at the beginning, glaucoma results in decreased vision and eventually blindness over several years. Early treatment can prevent the progression of the disease. We performed a study to evaluate differential gene expression in normal control and POAG cases. A total of 179 DEGs were discovered with 60 up-regulated and 119 down-regulated genes. After the selection of DEGs, we constructed the protein-protein interaction network. The result of GO enrichment showed the DEGs involved in antioxidant activity, haptoglobin binding, and oxygen carrier activity. Then Four modules of the primary protein network were obtained using a STRING database, using the K-means method. Next, gene ontology analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment were performed for four modules. These genes include TYRP1, FMOD, OGN, PAX6, COL8A2, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DMB. The results showed that the Selected module is highly related to glaucoma pathogenesis genes. Using integrated bioinformatical analysis, we have identified DEGs candidate genes and pathways involved in glaucoma, which could improve our understanding of the cause and underlying molecular events, and these candidate genes and pathways could be therapeutic targets for glaucoma

The Effect of Memantine Versus Folic Acid on Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Schizophrenia, as one of the most severe psychiatric diseases, has a chronic and debilitating process. The majority of patients with schizophrenia do not respond adequately to treatment with common antipsychotic drugs. Therapeutic problems induced by drug side effects as well as undesired results are major challenging issues regarding this disease. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of memantine supplementation on the improvement of cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Method: The present clinical trial was performed on 50 patients with acute schizophrenia who were admitted to Kargarnejad Psychiatric Hospital in Kashan in 2022 and who were diagnosed as schizophrenia cases at least three months ago. Patients were randomly divided into either the intervention group (n = 25) or the placebo group (n = 25). The intervention group received 5 mg of memantine per day for three months. The dose of memantine in this group was increased to the maximum of 20 mg per day. The placebo group received 1 mg of folic acid per day for three months. Moreover, an identical routine schizophrenia therapeutic regimen was administered to all patients. The effectiveness of memantine was evaluated using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), which assessed cognitive ability in older adults over a 12-week follow-up period. Results: The WAIS-III score in the 12th week of the study was significantly different between the placebo and intervention groups (P = 0.004), such that the score of the memantine group was higher than that of the placebo group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of drug side effects. Conclusion: Memantine can be supplemented in the treatment of schizophrenia so as to improve the cognitive symptoms of this disorder. However, subsequent studies involving larger sample sizes and different doses seem to be necessary to provide more accurate results in this respect

Impact of Wikipedia on citation trends

It has been suggested that the "visibility" of an article influences its citation count. More specifically, it is believed that the social media can influence article citations.Here we tested the hypothesis that inclusion of scholarly references in Wikipedia affects the citation trends. To perform this analysis, we introduced a citation “propensity” measure, which is inspired by the concept of amino acid propensity for protein secondary structures. We show that although citation counts generally increase during time, the citation "propensity" does not increase after inclusion of a reference in Wikipedia