Investigating the Role of Childish Games (Based on Carl Gross Pre-Training Model) on Preschoolers’ Social Contexts Learning Reinforcement in Kermanshah District 3

AbstractThis survey has investigated the role of childish games (based on Carl Gross pre-training model) on preschoolers’ social contexts learning reinforcement in district 3 of Kermanshah city. The survey method is semi-experimental and the population consists of 1666 preschool's new learners in district 3 in academic year of 2011-12 that using available groups sampling method, 50 persons were chosen as sample. Data collecting tools including researcher based questionnaire was accepted in terms of validity based on experts’ attitudes in this field and its reliability is ./082 according to Chronbakh. After synchronizing the objects based on intelligence via using pretest-posttest designing, 25 persons were located in treating group and 25 persons were located in control group. Then, depended variable, i.e. childish games method, was given to treating group for 3 sessions. Control group were educated those issues as before. Data collected form pretest and posttest designing were analyzed using variance analysis as well as SPSS software. Based on gained data, H1, H2, H3 were respectively accepted with significant levels of ./0254, ./0131 and ./0421 at level of p < ./01. One can conclude through via survey findings that treating group had better performance than control group, therefore using childish games (based on Carl Gross pre- training model) affects preschoolers’ social contexts learning reinforcement

The Effects of Canyon Topography on Dynamic Stress Distribution in Earth Dams

Limitations of computer storage capacity and high costs have generally restricted the use of numerical methods to two-dimensional dynamic analyses of earth dams. However, differences in canyon topographies in which the earth dams have been built may cause various constraining effects. Comparison between results of plane strain and three-dimensional dynamic analyses may reflect the site effects especially in narrow canyons. Consequently, considering the geometry of canyon, one may choose an appropriate method of dynamic analysis. This paper presents the effect of different canyon geometries on amount and distribution of induced dynamic stresses in plane strain and in three-dimensional analyses. These analyses are executed by FLAC2D and FLAC3D for some sections of earth dams with different length to height ratios. It has been shown that the ratios of plain strain to 3D dynamic shear stresses reach their maximum and minimum values in triangular and rectangular shaped canyons, respectively. With complimentary studies the actual seismic behavior of earth dams could be estimated from plane strain dynamic analyses

Effective Connectivity Evaluation of Resting-State Brain Networks in Alzheimer’s Disease, Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Normal Aging: An Exploratory Study

(1) Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a high prevalence. Despite the cognitive tests to diagnose AD, there are pitfalls in early diagnosis. Brain deposition of pathological markers of AD can affect the direction and intensity of the signaling. The study of effective connectivity allows the evaluation of intensity flow and signaling pathways in functional regions, even in the early stage, known as amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). (2) Methods: 16 aMCI, 13 AD, and 14 normal subjects were scanned using resting-state fMRI and T1-weighted protocols. After data pre-processing, the signal of the predefined nodes was extracted, and spectral dynamic causal modeling analysis (spDCM) was constructed. Afterward, the mean and standard deviation of the Jacobin matrix of each subject describing effective connectivity was calculated and compared. (3) Results: The maps of effective connectivity in the brain networks of the three groups were different, and the direction and strength of the causal effect with the progression of the disease showed substantial changes. (4) Conclusions: Impaired information flow in the resting-state networks of the aMCI and AD groups was found versus normal groups. Effective connectivity can serve as a potential marker of Alzheimer’s pathophysiology, even in the early stages of the disease

Effect of Salinity and Drought by Using NaCl 99.99 % and PEG 6000 on Some Growth Factors on Anabasis aphylla

Abstract. Salinity and drought affect the plants in a similar way. Salinity delays the onset, reduces the rate and increases the dispersion of germination events, resulting in reduced plant growth and final crop yield. Drought, like salinity, plays an important role not only in determining germination rates, but also influences seedling development. The present investigation has been performed to evaluate Anabasis aphylla tolerance to osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and NaCl during germination and the early seedling stages of plant development. Results indicate that only there is a significant affect for interaction of drought and salinity on root and shoot size and germination in different level. It means surly these factors have direct influence on this important indicator

Iranian Speech-language Pathologists’ Awareness of Alternative and Augmentative Communication Methods

Objectives: Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) provides a means of effective communication to individuals with severe impairments in speech comprehension and production. The present study aimed to examine the awareness of Iranian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) of AAC services. Methods: In total, 111 SLPs who were selected by convenience sampling method participated in this cross-sectional study. Using a researcher-made questionnaire, information on SLPs’ familiarity with the term AAC and its methods; patients who can benefit from AAC methods; the kind of AAC method that could be used per patient, and the effectiveness of each method were obtained. This research was conducted at rehabilitation clinics in Tehran City, Iran. Results: The obtained results revealed that only 8.1% of the respondents were familiar with the concept of AAC; however, 92.8% of SLPs had contact with Patients With Communication Problems (PWCP). Only 0.9% of SLPs were familiar with high-tech devices. Additionally, 88.3% of the respondents were willing to further educational opportunities concerning AAC. Discussion: Iranian SLPs had little familiarity with AAC and the target population of these services. Overall, there appeared to be a lack of AAC expertise within the profession in Iran. Therefore, training these professionals, both theoretically and clinically, is essential

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Word Pairs Task to Evaluate Declarative Memory

Introduction: According to the declarative/procedural (DP) model, the semantic aspect of language depends on the brain structures responsible for declarative memory. The word pairs task is a common tool to evaluate declarative memory. The current study aimed to design a valid and reliable task to evaluate declarative memory in Persian-speaking children at the learning and retention stages and investigate its relationship with the semantic aspect of language. Methods: A panel of experts agreed on the content validity of the proposed task. The reliability of the task was determined using internal consistency and test-retest reliability. A total of 31 typically developing children aged 7-9 years participated in this study. Results: The content validity of all the 42-word pairs was calculated as one. The test-retest reliability showed a correlation coefficient of 0.825 (P<0.001). The task showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.880). The results of correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between declarative memory and semantic aspect. However, the regression analysis showed that the retention stage can explain 24.2% of the variations in the semantic aspect. Conclusion: It seems that the word pairs task has good validity and reliability to evaluate declarative memory. The task applied to evaluate the semantic aspect can be one of the potential causes of the lack of a relationship between the semantic aspect and declarative memory. The participants’ scores in the retention stage can be predicted concerning their performance at the semantic aspect

Designing Training Math in Fifth Grade (Based on Logical Approach) and the Role of It on Critical Thoughts, Behaviour and Students Academic Motivation

AbstractThis is a reasonable approach to the design of teaching fifth grade math and its role in critical thinking, performance (academic achievement) and student motivation. Quasi-experimental research methods and population included 912 fifth- grade female students in Marivan city in the 2011-12 school year. 46 patients were selected as samples. The subjects to collect results were an RIO IQ test, the critical thoughts Watson and Gelizer test and research test and the range of AMS were known between 71 and 83 percent and the results were about 83 till 86 percent. After replication the subject of tests according to intelligence, sex and educational levels, with a choice of pre-test - post-test, 26 subjects in the experimental group and 20 patients were randomized to the control group. So the independent variable or discussion comparison, addition and subtraction of decimals fifth grade elementary math lesson based on a logical approach to the experimental group were trained in six sessions. The control group subjects were trained with traditional method. Data obtained from the pre -test and post-test and Covariance using SPSS software was used for analysis. Based on the results, the first and second hypothesis, respectively, with a significance level of 0/011 and 0/016 in 0/01> P were approved and the third hypothesis significance level of 0/432 in 0/01 ≤ P was rejected. According to the results we can understand that the effect of instructional design approach, and the performance of learners and promote educational advancement of critical thinking in their concrete, however it has no effect of increasing motivation pervasive of learners

Development of Word Definition Skill in Persian-speaking 54-90-month-olds

Objectives: Word definition skill is a complex language ability in which meta-linguistic awareness and literacy skills play a critical role. The present study examined the development of word definition skills in Persian-speaking children aged 4.5 to 7.5 years, concerning content and form aspects. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and analytic-descriptive study. The study subjects were 107 children of three age groups, as follows: 54-65-month-olds, 66-77-month-olds, and 78-90-month-olds. The study participants were selected from kindergartens and schools in districts 1, 7, and 17 of Tehran City, Iran, by multi-stage sampling method. In the word definition task, children were requested to define the words. To analyze the obtained data, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. Results: The obtained results indicated that the mean score of content (P=0.001) and form (P=0.002) aspects of word definition significantly increased with age in the study participants. Discussion: A shift from functional and objective responses towards meta-linguistic definitions, i.e. further developed in terms of content and form, was observed with aging. At the age of 7 years, definitions reflect the hierarchical nature of nouns, and applying the class name begins at this age. The age of reaching a specific class seems to be affected by the lexical category

Continuing Pregnancy Despite Prenatal Diagnosis of a Life-Limiting Fetal Anomaly and Need for Perinatal Palliative Care Service Package: A Qualitative Study from Iran

Background: Prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies leads to parental psychological stress and decision-making challenges to continue or terminate pregnancy. Continuing pregnancy despite fetal anomaly can cause confusion, anxiety and depression in parents, so it seems necessary to be aware of their needs and appropriately respond to them. This study was conducted to exploring experiences about Continuation Pregnancy despite fetal anomaly in the socio-cultural context of Iran. Methods: Qualitative exploratory descriptive study, 35 participants including 15 pregnant women with Life-Limiting fetal anomaly diagnosis, 5 family members and 15 perinatal care providers were selected purposefully. Data were gathered by individual interview and were written, important phrases were coded, by grouping same codes, main and sub categories were extracted. Results: In this study, 4 main categories, each with a number of subcategories were extracted. The main categories included: ``mental health counseling, support parents to accept and cope with event, ethical consideration during end-of-life care of baby, providing perinatal palliative care)''. Conclusion: The results showed that parents who forcibly or voluntarily continue pregnancy after a wearing of fetal anomalies, have extensive care needs during pregnancy and after birth that are not sufficiently met. Therefore, it seems that a comprehensive service package of perinatal palliative care appropriate for Iran socio- cultural context is necessary

Assessment of genetic variation and evolutionary history of Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi)

Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) is an endemic species found in the Caucasus whose population is declining. Initial assessment of genetic variation and phylogenetic status of the species confirmed the monophyly of L. mlokosiewiczias and indicated a sister relationship between L. mlokosiewiczi and L. tetrix (Black grouse). Further the Caucasian grouse from Georgia, Caucasus and Iran created three genetic groups with no shared haplotype. This separation could be the result of different evolutionary events or geographic distances between them. Four different haplotypes were identified in north-western Iran, distributed inside and outside Arasbaran protected area (APA), suggesting the expansion of APA to include Caucasian grouse habitats in the Kalibar Mountains (western APA) and enhance the protection of the species in the region