The Effect of a Words-in-Noise Training Method on Speech Perception in Noise of Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss

Background and Aim: Despite more affordable and advanced technologies for early detection of congenital hearing loss, unilateral hearing loss is the prevalent form of hearing loss affecting school-aged children. This study aimed to examine the impact of Words-in-Noise (WIN) training on speech perception of noise in children with unilateral hearing loss. Methods: Thirteen children aged 8 to 12 years with unilateral hearing loss underwent a WIN training program in noise. The participants were tested before and after training on word identification in noise and cortical auditory evoked potentials. Results: A comparison of the mean signal-to-noise ratio 50% between pre- and post-training indicated that signal-to-noise ratio 50% score decreased after training sessions. WIN training reduced the latency in N1 and P2 waves in the Fz electrode and the N1 wave in the Pz electrode and increased the amplitude of the waves in the Fz and Pz electrodes. The observed data suggest that all participants’ performance improved on word identification in noise and some electrophysiological parameters. Cortical auditory evoked potentials components changes did not correlate with the WIN scores. Conclusion: The Persian version of the WIN training improved speech perception ability in the presence of competitive noise in children with unilateral hearing loss. Therefore, this software solution can partially solve speech comprehension problems with noise in these children

Studying effect of accelerated aging on adhesion resistance of half polyester and polyurethane transparent coatings applied on maple and pine species

In this study, effect of accelerated aging on adhesion strength of half-polyester and polyurethane transparent coatings were evaluated in maple and pine species. For this purpose, dried specimens with 12×110×550 millimeters were used. Sealer as substrate, and half-polyester and binary polyurethane as coatings were applied on wood. Coatings were implemented thereby film applicator and gun methods, and accelerated aging test of wood specimens was carried out according to ASTM D1037. Results indicated that maximum value of adhesion strength is belong to binary polyurethane in maple applied by film applicator and minimum for half-polyester in pine applied by gun method, in opposite. Due to thin film, velocity variations in gun method by painter person, and consequent rapid evaporation of thinner, adhesion decreased in comparison with film applicator method. Also it's found that accelerated aging diminished adhesion strength of coatings in both maple and pine species. It can be concluded during the accelerated aging test, the steam causes moisture absorption and swelling of the fibers near the surface and thus reduce the resistance of the coating adhesion.Long-term effect of humidity and aging makes Ecowool quickly lose their stickiness.And the effect of floating in the water samples, lignin degradation products in the process of steaming and freezing and heating washed by water And cause the loosening of the cellulosic fibers in the wood, resulting in wood adhesive strength is significantly reduced due to the accelerated aging test

Fractional derivative generalization of Noether’s theorem

The symmetry of the Bagley–Torvik equation is investigated by using the Lie group analysis method. The Bagley–Torvik equation in the sense of the Riemann–Liouville derivatives is considered. Then we prove a Noetherlike theorem for fractional Lagrangian densities with the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative and few examples are presented as an application of the theory

Educational Styles as Perceived by Tehran Pre-University Students

The present study explores parents’ educational styles (or ‘parenting styles’ as used by previous researchers) as perceived by their pre-university-aged children. Sample size formula was administered to determine the number of participants; accordingly, 800 (380 males and 420 female) students studying at Tehran pre-university schools were selected through stratified random sampling. Participants were given a researcher-made, 35-item questionnaire devised to measure parenting styles. Data was then analyzed using the Factor Analysis method. Findings revealed four distinguished parenting styles, i.e. Decisive-kind, Decisive-unkind, Permissive-kind & Permissive-unkind styles

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts (methanol, ethanol) saffron petals

The medicinal plants are important sources of antioxidants. Natural antioxidants increase the antioxidant capacity of the plasma and reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and stroke. Synthetic antioxidants commonly used in processed foods have side effects and are toxic. Therefore, there is a need for more effective, less toxic and cost effective antioxidants derived from medicinal plants. Saffron petal is a rich plant source of polyphenolic compounds. Hence, this research was conducted for studying the antioxidant properties and phenolic compositions of saffron petal. In this study, saffron petal extraction was prepared by ethanol, methanol (30, 70 and 90%) and water. The phenolic compositions were determined using Folin-ciocalteau method. In next step, antioxidant activity evaluated using generates free radical of DPPH. The results showed that the type and contents of solvent significantly affect the phenolic values and antioxidant activity.Also there was a significant relation between phenolic compound content and radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound concentration were increased by increasing solvent concentration. Finally, it was concluded that the ethanol extract could be considered as a effective solvent for the maximum extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity