Review and analysis of empirical articles published in TESOL Quarterly over its lifespan

We report the results of a bibliometric study of 696 empirical articles (EAs) published in TESOL Quarterly (TQ) over its lifespan (1967-2019). We report overall and periodic reviews (1967-1979, 1980-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2009, 2010-2019) concerning the following themes: (1) contexts and participants, (2) research foci and theoretical orientations, and (3) research methodology and data sources. A typical article was written by a single author addressing a learning/teaching English issue related to undergraduates in US universities. The most common research foci were instruction, learning, and assessment. A quarter of the articles did not have a specifiable theoretical orientation, and for those that had, the main theoretical orientations were linguistic/scientific, linguistic/cognitive, and social. The most frequently used research methodologies were quantitative, qualitative, and eclectic, and the top three data sources used by researchers were elicitation, multiple sources, and observation. Based on the findings, we make suggestions for future research in TESOL. Overall, the present review and analysis of published EAs give readers a birds-eye view of the research gravity in TQ over the last 52 years

Strategies for Controlling Violence Against Healthcare Workers: Application of Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Additive Ratio Assessment

Objective: The present study aimed to identify and prioritize control measures of violence against Healthcare Workers (HWs) using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Additive Ratio Assessment (F-ARAS). Background: Occupational violence is a pervasive problem in healthcare centers. Reducing violence against staff is one of the challenges for healthcare managers. Method: At the first stage, the most common criteria and control options for violence against HWs were identified and extracted using a review of previous studies. At the next stage, criteria for selection of control measures were prioritized using the FAHP. Finally, control measures of workplace violence were prioritized using the F-ARAS method. Results: Results of the FAHP indicated that safety and efficiency were the most important criteria. Results of the F-ARAS also revealed that increasing number of security personnel and training staff were the best recommendations for controlling violence against HWs. Conclusion: Based on expert\u27s opinions, administrative measures are the optimal ways to control violence at health centers; therefore, it is suggested that violence control programs should be more focused on administrative measures. Implications For Nursing Management: These results could assist nursing management to take best strategies for controlling occupational violence based on multi-criteria decision-making methods

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Consideration of Future Safety Consequence (CFSC) Scale

Background: Personality traits, due to having a relative stability, are important factors for predicting employees’ safety behavior. Consideration of Future Safety Consequence (CFSC) is a personality trait that was recently introduced to predict the safety behaviors. The purpose of this study was to translate and assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the CFSC scale. Methods: In the first stage of this cross-sectional study, the instrument was prepared by the forward-backward forward translation technique and evaluated by 487 employees of a gas refinery. The validity of the scale was evaluated through face, concurrent, validity, and construct validity. The safety performance questionnaire was used to examine the concurrent validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) and test-retest. Results: Content validity index was 0.885. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the CFSC scale had a single factor. Also, Pearson correlation showed a positive correlation between the safety performance and the Persian version of CFSC (R=0.401). Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were calculated as 0.86 and 0.82, respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that the psychometric properties of the Persian version of CFSC scale are desirable and can be used in future studie

Antioxidant activity of different parts of Tetrataenium lasiopetalum.

In Iranian traditional medicine, different species of the genus Tetrataenium are used as antiseptic, spice and food additives.The present study examined the possible antioxidant effects of hydro-alcoholic extracts of different parts of Tetrataenium lasiopetalum (Boiss.) Manden (Apiaceae).Laminas, stems, petioles, fruits, peduncles and flowers of T. lasiopetalum were collected, dried and then extracted by ethanol and water (70:30). Antioxidant activities of extracts were examined by employing different in vitro assays, i.e., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, metal chelating, reducing power activities and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system. Also, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were evaluated.Hydro-alcoholic extract of T. lasiopetalum flower showed the highest activity in scavenging of DPPH (IC50 = 170 ± 7 μg/mL). In metal chelating assay, lamina extract possesses a better iron ion chelating activity than other extracts (230 ± 10 μg/mL). Lamina hydro-alcoholic extract demonstrated better activity in reducing the power and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system than other parts of T. lasiopetalum.These results showed the antioxidant activity of different parts of T. lasiopetalum based on its usage in traditional medicine

Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation for Multi-IRS-Aided Indoor 6G Networks

In this paper, we propose a distributed intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) assisted single-user and multi-user millimeter wave (mmWave) system. Then, we formulate the resource allocation problem as an optimization to maximize energy efficiency under individual quality of service (QoS) constraints. We first propose a centralized algorithm, and further, a low-complexity distributed one where the access point (AP) and IRSs independently adjust the transmit beamforming of AP, the phase shifts, and the on-off status of IRSs in an alternating manner until the convergence is reached. In a multi-user scenario, in the first stage, the successive convex approximation (SCA) and fractional programming (FP) approaches are applied to achieve a solution for optimization subproblems of the phase-shift coefficients and element on-off status of IRSs. Then, for the beamforming subproblem, a modified nested FP approach is proposed that finds an optimal solution for the beamforming vectors of AP. Our performance analysis on a practical scenario shows that the proposed centralized and distributed approach respectively enhances the energy efficiency by up to 55%, 42% for single-user, and up to 984% for multi-user scenarios, in comparison to the case where the on-off status and phase-shift coefficients of IRS elements are not selected optimally

Occupational Stressors Among Firefighters: Application of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)Techniques

Background: Firefighters are exposed to a wide range of occupational stressors due to the nature of their job. Multicriteria decision-making technique (MCDM) is a method for identifying, evaluating, and preventing occupational stressors among firefighters. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the occupational stressors among firefighters using the fuzzy delphi method (FDM) and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). Methods: This qualitative-descriptive study was carried out in two stages. First, the most important occupational stressors of firefighters were identified and screened using a systematic review of scientific references and expert opinions based on the FDM. Then, all of the screened stressors were weighted and prioritized by the FAHP using the opinions of experts. All results were analyzed using Excel software. Results: Among, the 52 occupational stressors of firefighters identified in the first stage, 27 stressors were selected to enter into the FAHP. The FAHP results showed that among the four main dimensions, the weight of managerial factors (0.358) was more than other dimensions. The overall result of the study, regardless of the stressors’ main dimensions showed that the most important stressors among firefighters were financial strain due to inadequate pay, fear of explosion at incident scenes, toxic smoke, and gases produced at fires and lack of attention given to job safety by management, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, most occupational stressors of the firefighters are caused by organizational factors. Therefore, the implementation of management strategies to reduce the occupational stress of firefighters is recommended

Hospital Patient Safety Culture in Developing Countries: A Comparative Study in Ilam City, Iran.

Aims: In this study, patient safety culture was assessed in four educational hospitals in Ilam city, Iran. Study Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study was carried out in four educational hospitals (Imam Khomeini, Mustafa Khomeini, Taleghani and Kowsar hospitals) in Ilam city (Iran). Study Duration: The study was conducted over 2014. Methods: The data collection was conducted via the Iranian version of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) questionnaire. The questionnaire contains 42 items that evaluates 12 dimensions of patient safety culture. Results: The results showed that 47% of the participants had 1- 5 years of work experience and 71.1% of them worked more than 40 hours per week in hospital. The mean positive answers score of the safety culture in this study was obtained 40% that was much lower than the benchmark (64%). The highest and lowest percentages of the positive answer were attributed to teamwork within units (70%) and non-punitive response to error (11%), respectively. Conclusion: In order to increase the patient safety culture in the hospitals, the number of professional staff should be increased and a practical plan about the patient safety culture should be provided. Moreover, the hospitals management should support the staff to report errors without fear of the punishment

Strategic Model of Value Co-Creation of University with Emphasis on Fourth and Fifth Generation Universities

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to identify the factors, components and consequences of value co-creation of universities by emphasizing the fourth and fifth generation universities and consequently to present a conceptual model based on it. In order to conduct this research, in addition to in-depth study using the metasynthesis method to identify factors, components and consequences of value co-creation, fuzzy Delphi technique has been used to refine the factors and components. The survey was conducted in four stages and the results of each stage were refined using fuzzy Delphi method formulas. Finally, the strategic model of value co-creation of university with emphasis on value-creating and civilization-building universities with 16 factors, 23 components and 13 consequences, each designed in three categories and presented as a proposed model for value co-creation of university.IntroductionCreating and presenting common value with the cooperation of stakeholders, or co-creation of value, is a concept that has attracted the attention of many academics and universities.The dominant logic of services is the latest revolutionary achievement in the management of organizations and services. According to this logic, customers have a value in co-creation and in this process, they share their resources, especially their skills and knowledge with suppliers, and bring value-creating actions to the fore. In the meantime, the vaue co-creation process as a theme based on interaction and two-way communication between individuals is a key theme throughout the higher education network that plays an undeniable role in moving universities towards progress and overcoming the challenges ahead. This is achieved when higher education stakeholders consider moving towards value co-creation.The question now is what approaches and requirements can be used in the university and the higher education system to involve customers and stakeholders in the value co-creation process. It was informed of their needs and expectations in his own language, used their knowledge and ability to meet the needs and provide a new solution, and satisfied them with their direct cooperation in creating value, and benefiting from their ability and assistance, Did the university and the higher education system also benefit from the results and performance of this phenomenon? The answer to this question requires examining and identifying the process of dimensions and components of value co-creation in universities. In addition, despite the various researches that researchers have done on the importance of value co-creation, there are very limited studies on the development and application of value co-creation dimensions in the university and higher education system, and no comprehensive approach and model has been presented in this field. Since the creation of shared value with organizational stakeholders requires planning, careful implementation and control based on measures of dynamic capabilities to create academic value in the long run, and ultimately this leads to a move towards a value co-creating and civilization-building university. This concept is considered as a strategic concept. Therefore, designing a value creation model and elements of strategic value co-creation in the context of the value creation process can cover the above gaps and help to develop knowledge frontiers in the fields of strategic management knowledge, services and education, as well as value co-creation. Therefore, this study intends to study the subject of value co-creation, effective factors, dimensions and components and consequences of university value creation using meta-synthesis and fuzzy Delphi method and provide a suitable model for university value co-creation.Case studyState universities of Kerman province  Theoretical frameworkThis research seeks to identify the factors, dimensions and consequences of value co-creation of university and presents a new plan of value co-creation features with the approach of new generation universities and the results in implementing measures and reforms related to university development.It can be used and enables universities to use this model to self-assess and pathology of the current situation and accordingly to plan and improve activitiesMethodologyThe present study is an applied research and based on the research design and in terms of data collection, it is a descriptive (non-experimental) research and three methods have been used to collect information, documentary study, Delphi and survey and there is a trinity in the method. In this research, meta-synthesis method has been used for in-depth study of literature and identification of factors, components and consequences of value co-creation of university from research literature and fuzzy Delphi method has been used to refine these variables. The statistical population of the research is in the meta-synthesis section of all articles published in journals with research topics of value creation, and fourth and fifth generation universities indexed in 9 valid databases in the period 2007 to 2020, and for fuzzy delphi, University professors (experts) who were fully acquainted with theories of value creation and academics were used.Discussion and ResultsIn this study, by metasynthesis method and study of 66 sources, 33 factors affecting value co-creation, 85 components and 24 consequences with academic value co-creation perspective (142 cases in total) were identified, which finally 20 factors, 43 components and 24 consequences according to the value  co-creation of university was identified and combined by fuzzy Delphi method.Finally, by conducting 4 stages of fuzzy Delphi survey, 16 factors, 23 components and 13 consequences were selected for the university value co-creation model and a conceptual model was presented.ConclusionGiven the recent advances in human consciousness and knowledge and the consequent development and change in the approach of universities from knowledge-based and research-oriented universities to entrepreneurial, value-creating and civilization-building universities, it seems to provide a relatively comprehensive version of the model. The value co-creation of university can be responsible for achieving the goals of civilization and value creation, and in the meantime, the use of a native model largely fills the existing gaps. The model presented in this study is able to provide the basis for the development of value co-creation in the Iranian higher education system and enable them to extract comprehensive plans and measures of improvement while comprehensive pathology of value creation in the Iranian higher education system. Evaluate their position in the process of value creation of human resources of the university with the approach of the fourth and fifth generation universities

Predicting dietary behavior of type 2 diabetics: Application of the theory of planned behavior and perceived risk of diabetes complications construct

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a major health problem due to its complications. However, it could be prevented or delayed by modifications in the patients’ behavior and diets. The objective of this study was to explore the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and complications of diabetes perceived risk to find modifiable diabetes-related beliefs in order to make behavioral changes feasible. METHODS: The present descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in diabetes clinics in Semirom, Iran, based on TPB and complications of diabetes perceived risk using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 154 patients with diabetes without complications of diabetes participated in the study. Measured variables were patients’ attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, complications of diabetes perceived risk, intention to maintain a healthful diet and nutritional style. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. RESULTS: The results revealed that the TPB and perceived risk of diabetes complications fitted the data acceptably well among patients with type 2 diabetes and within dietary behavior. Perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, perceived risk of diabetes complications, and intention to maintain a healthy diet were related to healthy diet behavior. No relation was found between attitude and intention to follow a healthy diet. CONCLUSION: The TPB and perceived risk of diabetes complications is a useful theory in determining intentions of patients with diabetes and their adherence to a healthy diet