Voicing up in debate competition: oral development of two Malaysian ESL learners

This research used a qualitative approach to focus on the classroom debate between Malaysian English second language learners (ESL). Since debate has been often perceived as not a suitable activity for low proficiency students due to their limited linguistic resources, there has not been much emphasis on the impact of debate on incompetent ESL learners; however, this study was an attempt to concentrate on two students who were not competent in English to investigate their oral development via debate. The study observed the communicative strategies employed in this challenging task during the five debate rounds. Although the progress made was quite limited, the study showed that debate competition can be a relevant and meaningful practice for speaking activity among low proficiency students. Moreover, it showed that debate can be used to scaffold students’ practice in speaking

The Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on Direct Pulp Capping in Dogs

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the histologic effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) with or without the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on exposed pulp tissues of dogs.Methods: Twenty-five premolar teeth in three healthy mature dogs were randomly divided into five groups. In group 1, the pulp tissue was capped with MTA. In groups 2 and 3, before capping with MTA, the exposure site was irradiated by low power lasers at 630 nm (20 mW, 150 seconds, 7.5 J/cm2) and 810 nm (peak power 80 W, average power 50 mW, 1500 Hz, 50 seconds, 6.25 J/cm2) wavelengths, respectively. In groups 4 and 5, the exposure site was irradiated similar to that described in groups 2 and 3, but the pulp tissue was covered by gold foil instead of MTA. After 2 months, the animals were sacrificed and the samples were prepared for histologic evaluation.Results: There were differences in pulpal response and dentinal barrier formation among the study groups. The morphology of pulpal tissue and the integrity of dentinal barrier and formation of odontoblastic layer were more favorable in the first three groups. The occurrence of extensive and intense inflammation and necrosis was more frequent in groups 4 and 5.Conclusion: Under the conditions used in this study, the presence of MTA as a pulp capping material was more important than laser therapy in the success of direct pulp capping (DPC) treatment. MTA proved to be an effective material either alone or in combination with laser irradiation in vital pulp therapy

A case study of the development of an ESL learner's speaking skills through instructional debate

This study aimed to describe the implementation of debate activities in teaching English to Malaysian secondary students which can enhance students’ speaking skills. Moreover, through observing a Form One student, it was tried to identify the strategies used to compete in classroom debates and to describe the development of the participant’s speaking skills through debates. The study found that debate activities had an impact on the participants through improving collaborative skills, raising awareness of speakers’ roles and guiding participants via prepared texts. Besides, the main communicative strategies employed by the participant were compensatory and avoidance strategies. The result has also shown the improvement of the participant’s speaking skills after five rounds of debate activities

Preparation and Characterization of Alginate and Psyllium Beads Containing Lactobacillus acidophilus

This paper describes preparation and characterization of beads of alginate and psyllium containing probiotic bacteria of Lactobacillus acidophilus DMSZ20079. Twelve different formulations containing alginate (ALG) and alginate-psyllium (ALG-PSL) were prepared using extrusion technique. The prepared beads were characterized in terms of size, morphology and surface properties, encapsulation efficiency, viabilities in acid (pH 1.8, 2 hours) and bile (0.5% w/v, 2 hours) conditions, and release in simulated colon pH conditions. The results showed that spherical beads with narrow size distribution ranging from 1.59 ± 0.04 to 1.67 ± 0.09 mm for ALG and from 1.61 ± 0.06 to 1.80 ± 0.07 mm for ALG-PSL with encapsulation efficiency higher than 98% were achieved. Furthermore, addition of PSL into ALG enhanced the integrity of prepared beads in comparison with ALG formulations. The results indicated that incorporation of PSL into alginate beads improved viability of the bacteria in acidic conditions as well as bile conditions. Also, stimulating effect of PSL on the probiotic bacteria was observed through 20-hour incubation in simulated colonic pH solution. According to our in vitro studies, PSL can be a suitable polymer candidate for partial substitution with ALG for probiotic coating

Relationship between tolerance of ambiguity and family cohesion with academic engagement based on mediating role of academic resilience in female students

Background: The orientation of academic resilience is towards positive processes of life and psychological empowerment of students, so, academic resilience is a significant factor affects the tolerance of ambiguity and family cohesion in students, resulting in increased academic engagement. This study designed to assess the relationship between tolerance of ambiguity and family cohesion with academic engagement based on mediating role of academic resilience in female students in Ahvaz city. Method: This was a descriptive correlation study accomplished by path analysis. The study population comprised second-grade high-school female students in Ahvaz city in 2020. Using simple random sampling 216 of which were selected as the participants. The data gathering instruments were: the Schoolwork Engagement Inventory, the Tolerance for Ambiguity Scale, the Family Cohesion Scale, and the Academic Resilience Inventory. Results: Results revealed a good fit for the modified model (CFI=1.00, IFI=1.00, RMSEA=0.001). The results indicated that there was a significant direct relationship between family cohesion and academic engagement (β=0.365, P=0.001), and between tolerance of ambiguity and academic resilience (β=0.274, P=0.001). Moreover, there was a positive relationship between family cohesion and academic resilience (β=0.369, P=0.001), and between academic resilience and academic engagement (β=0.328, P=0.001). The results of indirect path analysis indicated that academic resilience had a mediating role in the relationship between tolerance of ambiguity and family cohesion with academic engagement. Conclusion: The modified model had a good fitness, and is an important stage in recognizing the factors affecting the engagement and academic achievement of students

The effect of blood on apical microleakage of Epiphany and AH26: An in vitro study

INTRODUCTION: Blood contamination of the canal during preparation can be a major problem in endodontics; this may result in apical microleakage. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of blood on apical microleakage of a resin-based root canal sealer (AH26) and a polymer-based root canal sealer (Epiphany).MATERIALS & METHODS: In this experimental study, 50 decoronated central incisors and canine teeth were prepared by RaCe rotary system and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10). Groups A1 and A2 were obturated by Epiphany/Resilon and AH26/Gutta-percha, respectively. The obturations were performed with a single cone technique after drying root canals. In B1 and B2 groups, the test groups, 0.02cc citrated human blood was injected into dried root canals and they were obturated in the same manner. Ten specimens were served as positive and negative controls (n=5).The apical leakage was measured by means of a computerized fluid filtration method after 1 day and 3 weeks. The data was analyzed by One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Independent Sample t-test and univariate analysis. Statistical significances were preset at α=0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in apical microleakage of the two sealers after 1 day and 3 weeks in dry and blood environment (P>0.05). Sealer and environment had no interaction (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Blood contamination has no significant effect on the apical microleakage of Epiphny and AH26

Repair of horizontal root fracture: A case report

ABSTRACT: Horizontal root fractures in permanent teeth are uncommon injuries among dental traumas. The principle of treating horizontal root fractures of permanent teeth is repositioning and fixation of fractured segment. Diagnosis of tooth fractures based on radiographic findings and the fracture healing process are affected by factors before and after injury. The present case reports the treatment of horizontal root fracture located at the apical-third of upper left and right central incisors. Healing was observed at 1 year follow-up examination

Heavy metal concentrations in gill and liver tissues of Rutilus kutum and Chelon aurata in the coast of Babolsar, southern Caspian Sea

Heavy metal accumulation in the aquatic ecosystems is a main concern which threats human health. In this study two commercial fish species, Rutilus kutum and Chelon aurata were selected for assessing heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn) concentrations in gill and liver tissues at Babolsar’s coast, the southern Caspian Sea, Iran. Babolsar is one of the important fishery stations in the southern Caspian Sea. The results showed that liver tissue of C. aurata significantly accumulated higher concentration of Cd, Pb and Zn compared to that of R. kutum, but these results were not significant for gill tissue. Liver tissue accumulated higher concentration of Cd and Pb compared to gill tissue in C. aurata, but these results were not significant for R. kutum. It is concluded that the liver tissue of C. aurata has higher potential to accumulate heavy metal pollution compared to liver tissue of R. kutu

The Anti-staphylococcus Aureus Effect Of Combined Echinophora Platyloba Essential Oil And Liquid Smoke In Beef

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)In the current study, the antibacterial effect of Echinophora platyloba essential oil and common liquid smoke (individually and in combination) against Staphylococcus aureus in beef meat samples is investigated. Using an automated microbiological growth analyser and the turbidimetric technique, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the essential oil and liquid smoke were determined. Anti-S. aureus activity of essential oil and liquid smoke (individually and in combination) was defined by disk diffusion assay, generation time and cell constituent release. Apart from that, the interactions between these two compounds were measured by the checkerboard assay and by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. Related MIC values of essential oil and smoke were found to be 7200 and 5500 mg/L, and MBC values were 8500 and 8000 mg/L, respectively. The conducted organoleptic assay showed that the addition of 0.05 g of essential oil and 0.6 g of liquid smoke to 100 g of meat samples did not have adverse effect on the overall acceptance. Weaker antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus was observed when only Echinophora platyloba essential oil was used than when it was used in combination with liquid smoke.551117124Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences [1395-77359]CNPq-TWAS [324027 4290]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq