EFL Learners’ Writing Accuracy: Effects of Direct and Metalinguistic Electronic Feedback

The present study investigated the effects of direct and metalinguistic electronic feedback (E-feedback) on Iranian EFL learners’ writing accuracy and attitudes toward computer assisted language learning (CALL). Twenty nine students in two intact English writing classes comprised the participants of the study.  A mixed-method design was used for data collection and analysis. In addition to the instruction provided similarly in both classes, based on random assignment, the students in one group received direct electronic corrective feedback (DECF) using Ginger software. In the other class, the students received metalinguistic electronic corrective feedback (MECF) in the form of error codes provided through Markin4 software. Results revealed that the use of E-feedback developed the learners’ writing accuracy and attitudes toward CALL. However, there were no significant differences between the final overall writing accuracy scores of the DECF and MECF groups and their gain scores. Regarding writing accuracy components (i.e., structure, vocabulary, and punctuation), although the MECF group obtained higher scores in three components, a statistically significant difference between the two groups was found only in terms of vocabulary gain scores. Finally, in the interviews, the students in both groups referred to some barriers in the implementation of CALL in their context as well as some of its merits

Shrinkage performance of fly ash alkali-activated cement based binder mortars

Some authors reported that Alkali-activated Cement Based Binder (AACB) mortars can have much higher drying shrinkage than Portland cement based composites. Its worth remember that shrinkage performance is a very important property for reinforced concrete composites just because a high shrinkage performance is associated to cracking tendency that leads to future durability problems. Usually shrinkage is assessed under unrestrained conditions. However, the use of a restrained ellipse ring test is especially interesting for materials that will be used in restrained conditions like repair mortars. This paper provides results on restrained and unrestrained shrinkage performance of fly ash AACB mortars. The restrained shrinkage was assessed with an elliptical ring that provides a faster and more reliable assessment of the cracking potential than circular rings. The results show that the mixtures with lower sodium silicate content are associated to a lower unrestrained shrinkage. Mixtures with lower sodium silicate content showed reduced average crack width under restrained conditions. The results also show that the reduction of sodium silicate content delays the appearance of cracks and is also associated to lower crack width. The use of AACB mortars in restrained conditions requires the use of a reduced sodium silicate content or else the use of fibres to prevent crack appearance.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): IF/00706/2014-UM.2.15info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Flow performance of hybrid cement based mortars

This paper reports experimental results of 32 hybrid cement mixes regarding the joint effect of sodium hydroxide concentration, the use of a commercial superplasticizer and a biopolymer on the flow and compressive strength performance. The results show that the use of commercial admixtures led to a slightly increase in the flow of mortars with lower sodium hydroxide concentration. A mixture based on 80% fly ash, 10% calcium hydroxide and 10% waste glass showed the highest compressive strength. A compressive strength decrease was noticed concerning the use of the two admixtures that can due to the fact that those admixtures are not stable on high basic media. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the frame of project IF/00706/2014-UM.2.15info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Postmastectomy locoregional recurrence and recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One essential outcome after breast cancer treatment is recurrence of the disease. Treatment decision is based on assessment of prognostic factors of breast cancer recurrence. This study was to investigate the prognostic factors for postmastectomy locoregional recurrence (LRR) and survival in those patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>114 patients undergoing mastectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy in Cancer Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were retrospectively reviewed between 1996 and 2008. All cases were followed up after initial treatment of patients with breast cancer via regular visit (annually) for discovering the LRR. Cumulative recurrence free survival (RFS) was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method, with univariate comparisons between groups through the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>The median follow up time was 84 months (range 2-140). Twenty-three (20.2%) patients developed LRR. Cumulative RFS rate at 2.5 years and 5 years were 86% (95%CI, 81-91) and 82.5% (95%CI, 77-87) respectively. Mean RFS was 116.50 ± 4.43 months (range, 107.82 - 125.12 months, 95%CI). At univariate and multivariate analysis, factors had not any influence on the LRR.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite use of adjuvant therapies during the study, we found a LRR rate after mastectomy of 20.2%. Therefore, for patients with LRR without evidence of distant disease, aggressive multimodality therapy is warranted.</p

Short-term compressive strength of fly ash and waste glass alkali-activated cement based binder (AACB) mortars with two biopolymers

The Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe aims that by 2020, waste will be managed as a resource. Thus materials that have the ability for the reuse of several types of wastes, such as alkali-activated cement-based binders (AACBs), will merit special attention. Some wastes like fly ash deserve special attention because they are generated in high amounts and have a very low reuse rate. This paper reports experimental results regarding the influence of the mix design of fly ash and waste glass AACB mortars containing two different biopolymers (carrageenan and xanthan) on their short-term mechanical performance. Microstructure and cost analysis are also included. The results show that a mixture of 80% fly ash, 10% waste glass, and 10% calcium hydroxide activated with an alkaline activator has the highest compressive strength. The results also show that the mortars with minor biopolymer carrageenan content are associated with a relevant increase in compressive strength and that the use of 0.1% of carrageenan leads to optimum compressive strength in most mixtures. The use of xanthan shows no beneficial effects on the compressive strength of AACB mortars. Several mixtures with xanthan even show a reduction in the compressive strength.The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the frame of project IF/00706/2014-UM.2.15.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

A Survey of the Relationship between Earnings Management and Qualified Auditor Opinion in Tehran Stock Exchange

This study aims to evaluate the effect of earnings management on type of auditor report in the companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). To measure earnings management, the modified Jones model based on discretionary accruals is used. The audit report is qualified opinion due to the uncertainty in activity and qualified report due to some reasons except uncertainty in going concern. To test the study hypotheses, the data of 80 companies listed on TSE are used as study sample during 2009-2013 by logistic regression model. In the present study, besides testing the relationship between earnings management and qualified auditor opinion, the effect of financial distresses on the relevant relationship is studied. The results of study show the positive and significant relationship between earnings management and qualified opinion regarding some items except going-concern uncertainty. There is no significant relationship between earnings management and qualified opinion in financially distressed companies. Keywords: Earnings management, Qualified audit opinion, Going-concern uncertainty, Financially distressed companies JEL Classifications: D53, M4

Experimental and numerical investigations on the flexural performance of geopolymers reinforced with short hybrid polymeric fibres

Geopolymers have much higher drying shrinkage than Portland cement based composites Shrinkage performance is an important property for reinforced concrete composites just because a high shrinkage performance is associated to cracking tendency that leads to future durability problems. This paper provides results experimental and numerical investigations of fly ash based geopolymeric mortars reinforced with short hybrid polymeric fibres (SHPF). The results show that SHPF improved the flexural performance, while reducing the compressive strength and flexural stiffness of geopolymeric mortars. The addition of 0.8% SHPF increased about two times the fracture energy and about 50% the tensile strength. The adopted constitutive model well-captured the flexural performance of the tested beams.Foundation for Science and Technologyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Increase of Lysine Production in Corynebacterium glutamicum by using Gamma Irradiation

Corynebacterium glutamicum has been developed mostly by repeated random mutation and selection. In order to study the molecular mode of action on increase of lysine production in Corynebacterium glutamicum exposed to gamma rays at doses of 0,100, 200 and 300 Gy, mutant strain was selected first by bacteria counts and lysine production level, then it was used in molecular experiments. Wild and mutant strains of this bacteria were cultured in liquid media and proteins were extracted. Protein concentration was measured according to Bradford assay and sufficient amount of protein was loaded in Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electrophoresis of proteins was performed on 13% acrylamide running gel (1.0m

Comparison of Serum Zinc and Copper levels in Children and adolescents with Intractable and Controlled Epilepsy

How to Cite This Article: Kheradmand Z, Yarali B, Zare A, Pourpak Z, Shams S, Ashrafi MR. Comparison of Serum Zinc and Copper levels in Children and adolescents with Intractable and Controlled Epilepsy. Iran J Child Neurol. 2014; 8(3):49-54. AbstractObjectiveTrace elements such as zinc and copper have physiological effects on neuronal excitability that may play a role in the etiology of intractable epilepsy. This topic has been rarely discussed in Iranian epileptic patients.This study with the analysis of serum zinc and copper levels of children and adolescents with intractable and controlled epilepsy may identifies the potential role of these two trace elements in the development of epilepsy and intractabilityto antiepileptic drug treatment. Materials &amp; MethodsSeventy patients between the ages of 6 months to 15 years that referred to Children’s Medical Center with the diagnosis of epilepsy, either controlled or intractable to treatment enrolled in the study. After informed parental consent the levels of serum zinc and copper were measured with atomic absorptionspectrophotometer and analyzed with SPSS version 11.Results35 patients were enrolled in each group of intractable (IE) and controlled epilepsy (CE). 71.45% of the IE and 25.72% of the CE group had zinc deficiency that was statistically significant. 48.58% of the IE and 45.72 of the CE group were copper deficient, which was not statistically significant.ConclusionOur findings showed significant low serum zinc levels of patients with intractable epilepsy in comparison with controlled epilepsy group. We recommend that serum zinc level may play a role in the etiology of epilepsy and intractable epilepsy therefore its measurement and prescription may be regarded in the treatment of intractable epilepsy.ReferencesMikati MA. Seizures in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, Schor NF, Geme JWS, Behrman R (eds). Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 19th ed. Elsevier:Saunders; 2011. Pp.2013-2033.Kwan P, Brodie MJ. Early identification of refractory epilepsy. N Engl J Med 2000;342: 314-9.Patrick Kwan, Alexis Arzimanoglou, Anne T. Berg, et al.  Definition of drug resistant epilepsy: Consensus proposal by the ad hoc Task Force of the ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies. Epilepsia 2010;51(6):1069-1077.Berg AT, Shinnar S, Levy SR, Testa F, Smith-Rapaport S, Beckerman B. Early development of intractableepilepsy in children: a prospective study. Neurology 2001;56:1445-1452.Haoa XT, Wong ISM, Kwan P. Interrater reliability of the international consensus definition of drug-resistant epilepsy: A pilot study. Epilepsy &amp; Behavior 2011;22;388-390. Ashrafi MR, Mohseni M, Shams S, Shabanian R, Yekaninejad MS, et al. A Probable Causative Factor for an Old Problem: Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase Appear to Play Important Roles in Epilepsy pathogenesis. Epilepsia 2007;48(9):1750-1755.Liochev SI, Fridovich, I. Copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase can act as a superoxide reductase and a superoxide oxidase. J Biol Chem 2000; 275: 38482-38485.Jacob RA. Trace Elements in textbook of Clinical Chemistry. WB Saunders, 1986. pp. 965-985.Salwen MJ. Vitamis and Trace Elements. In: Pherson RA, Pincus MR (eds). Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management By Laboratory Methods Tweny-First Edition. Saunders; 2007. Pp. 379-389.Rokgauerj M, Klein J Kruse-Jarres J. D. Reference Values for the Trace Elements Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and Zinc in the Serum/ Plasma of Children, Adolescents, and Adults. J Trace Element Med Biol. 1997;11: 92-98.Volpe SL, Schall JI, Gallagher PR, Stallings VA, Bergqvist AGC. Nutrient intake of children with intractable epilepsy compared with healthy children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2007;107(6):1014-8. Epub 2007/05/26.Wojciak RW, Mojs E, Stanislawska-Kubiak M, Samborski W. The serum zinc, copper, iron, and chromium concentrations in epileptic children. Epilepsy Research 2013;104:40-44.Hamed SA, Abdellah MM, El-Melegy N. Blood levels of trace elements, electrolytes, and oxidative stress/antioxidant systems in epileptic patients. J Pharmacol Sci 2004;96:465-473.Dudek FE. Zinc and epileptogenesis. Epilepsy Curr 2001; 1:66-70.Mathie A, Sutton GL, Clarke CE, Veale EL. Zinc and copper: pharmacological probes and endogenous  modulators of neuronal excitability. Pharmacol Ther. 2006;111(3):567-83. Epub 2006/01/18.Schrauzer GN. Selenomethionine and Selenium Yeast: Appropriate Forms of Selenium for Use in Infant Formulas and Nutritional Supplements. Journal of medicinal food 1998;1(3):201-6.Seven M, Basaran SY, Cengiz M, Unal S. Deficiency of selenium and zinc as a causative factor For idiopathic intractable epilepsy. Epilepsy Research 2013;104 :35-39

Enucleation of Eye Using Finger Following Cannabis Consumption

Background: Enucleation is a topic discussed in psychiatry which is a self-injury matter. Enucleation is observed as psychotic disorder due to substance abuse. In people with mental disorders who also have substance use leading to hallucinations and delusions, unusual eye evacuation were reported. In most cases, enucleation was done using sharp tools. Case Report: This report describes a man suffering from psychosis after consuming hashish and has attempted to evacuate his eyes with his finger. Conclusion: Given the increasing prevalence of hashish use by young people, and false beliefs about the use of hashish in order to withdraw other substances, preventive methods and education for young and vulnerable people are suggested