Accounting for Iranian EFL Teachers' Burnout: Educational Beliefs and Teacher Self-Disclosure in Focus

Teaching is considered a high-risk profession for those suffering from burnout syndrome. Burnout syndrome affects the person who suffers from it and everyone around them, e.g., family, friends, co-workers, students, and parents. The main purpose of this study was to investigate any probable relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ educational belief and their tendency to self-disclose with their likelihood of suffering from burnout. The research instruments were The Teacher Self-Disclosure Scale (Cayanus Martin, 2008), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES) (Maslach, C., Schaufeli, 1993), and the Teachers' Educational Belief Questionnaire. The participants were 98 EFL teachers selected from 25 private language schools in Shiraz, Iran. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach Alpha coefficients, and Person Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient were used to answer this research question. Analyzing the data collected through the questionnaires indicated a positive correlation between some dimensions of teacher burnout and teachers’ constructive or traditional beliefs. Thus, ‘lack of personal achievement’ and ‘constructive beliefs’, ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization’, and teachers’ traditional beliefs were positively correlated. On the contrary, a negative correlation was identified between ‘lack of personal achievement’ and teachers’ traditional beliefs. Likewise, ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization’ on the burnout scale were correlated with teachers’ constructive beliefs.  However, no significant correlation was observed between teachers’ neutral beliefs and any dimensions of the burnout scale. Moreover, teacher self-disclosure quantity and negativity were correlated with ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization’ on the burnout scale

Accounting for Iranian EFL Teachers' Burnout: Educational Beliefs and Teacher Self-Disclosure in Focus

Teaching is considered a high-risk profession for those suffering from burnout syndrome. Burnout syndrome affects the person who suffers from it and everyone around them, e.g., family, friends, co-workers, students, and parents. The main purpose of this study was to investigate any probable relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ educational belief and their tendency to self-disclose with their likelihood of suffering from burnout. The research instruments were The Teacher Self-Disclosure Scale (Cayanus Martin, 2008), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES) (Maslach, C., Schaufeli, 1993), and the Teachers' Educational Belief Questionnaire. The participants were 98 EFL teachers selected from 25 private language schools in Shiraz, Iran. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach Alpha coefficients, and Person Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient were used to answer this research question. Analyzing the data collected through the questionnaires indicated a positive correlation between some dimensions of teacher burnout and teachers’ constructive or traditional beliefs. Thus, ‘lack of personal achievement’ and ‘constructive beliefs’, ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization’, and teachers’ traditional beliefs were positively correlated. On the contrary, a negative correlation was identified between ‘lack of personal achievement’ and teachers’ traditional beliefs. Likewise, ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization’ on the burnout scale were correlated with teachers’ constructive beliefs.  However, no significant correlation was observed between teachers’ neutral beliefs and any dimensions of the burnout scale. Moreover, teacher self-disclosure quantity and negativity were correlated with ‘emotional exhaustion’ and ‘depersonalization’ on the burnout scale

2-Amino­pyridinium diphenyl­phosphinate monohydrate

In the crystal of the title hydrated salt, C5H7N2 +·C12H10O2P−·H2O, the cations, anions and water mol­ecules connected by N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a layer along the bc plane; the phenyl rings protrude into the space between the layers. The dihedral angle between rings of anion is 86.1 (1)°

Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of Heterogeneous Cation Exchange Membranes by Using Super Activated Carbon Nanoparticles

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) based heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by the solution casting technique. The effect of super activated carbon nanoparticles concentration as filler additive in membrane matrix on ionic transfer behaviors of the membrane was studied. SOM images showed uniform particles distribution and relatively uniform surfaces for the membranes. The membrane water content was improved initially by using of super activated carbon nanoparticles up to 0.5 %wt in the casting solution and then began to decrease by more increase of nanoparticles content ratios from 0.5 to 4 %wt. Utilizing of activated carbon nanoparticles in the casting solution also led to increase of water contact angle, membrane ion exchange capacity, fixed ionic concentration, membrane potential, transport number and membrane selectivity obviously.An Opposite trend was observed for the membrane electrical resistance. The sodium flux/permeability was also enhanced initially by increase of nanoparticles concentration up to 0.5 %wt and then decreased slightly by more increase of nanoparticles loading ratios from 0.5 to 1 %wt. The sodium flux was sharply enhanced again by more increase of nanoparticles concentration form 1 to 4 %wt. The membrane transport number and selectivity were increased initially by increase of electrolyte concentration and then showed decreasing trend. The membranes showed higher transport number and selectivity at neutral pH compared to other pH values. The ED results showed that dialytic rate of lead ions was increased by utilizing of super activated carbon nanoparticles in the membrane matrix

Seismic Risk in Alborz: Insights from Geological Moment Rate Estimation and Fault Activity Analysis

The Alborz mountain range in northern Iran is part of the active and seismic Alpide belt, where assessing seismic hazards is crucial due to the region’s history of large instrumental earthquakes and destructive seismic background. Moment rate estimation, which quantifies tectonic activity, offers a novel approach to understanding the energy potential of active tectonic regions. In this study, a regional perspective is employed to investigate the maximum horizontal acceleration for Tehran, the major city in Alborz, resulting from the Sorkh-e Hesar and Ghasr-e-Firuzeh faults located approximately 7.5 km southeast of Tehran. These faults have a seismic potential of Mw 6.5 and a gravity of ~0.5723. While previous studies have identified faults in northern Tehran as the greatest seismic risk, our findings suggest otherwise. The calculated geological moment was 5.18218 × 1017 Nm/y, with a seismic moment rate of 1.83375 × 1014 Nm/y, providing valuable insights into fault activity and seismic potential in the study area

Germination of Triticum aestivum L.: Effects of soil–seed interaction on the growth of seedlings

© 2022 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems6020037Seed size, sowing depth, and seed disinfection can affect seed germination and seedling establishment, which, in turn, can directly affect crop growth and yield. The current study was comprised of two experiments, the first of which was conducted in the laboratory, and a second which was performed under glasshouse conditions. The objective of these experiments was to investigate the effects of seed size, sowing depth, and seed disinfection on seed germination and initial seedling growth of selected wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. The treatments in laboratory experiment were arranged in a completely randomized design, which included: (Ι) four wheat cultivars (Pishgam, Haydari, Soissons, and Mihan), (ΙΙ) two seed size classes (x < 2.25 mm, and x > 2.25 mm), and two disinfection treatments (no-disinfection and disinfection), (ΙΙΙ) with five replicates. In addition to the aforementioned treatments, the effect of planting depth (4, 6, and 8 cm) was also investigated in the subsequent glasshouse experiment. The best results were obtained at a sowing depth of 4 cm, in the non-disinfected treatment, using large seeds. In contrast, the lowest percentage and speed of seed germination and vigor index were observed in seeds sown at 8 cm depth, in the disinfected seed treatment, using small seeds. Large seeds contain larger nutrient stores which may improve seed germination indices, which would therefore result in improved percentage and speed of seed germination, followed by faster coleoptile and seedling growth, higher seedling dry weight and seed vigor. These data also illustrated that seed disinfection in the Pishgam and Haydari cultivars had inhibitory effects upon coleoptile growth and seedling length, which could be related to the fungicide’s chemical composition. Unlike other cultivars, disinfection did not show a significant effect on the Soissons cultivar. Based on our data, in order to improve both the speed of wheat seed germination and subsequent plant growth and development; it is necessary to select high-quality, large seeds, planted at a specific planting depth, which have been treated with an effective disinfectant; all of which will be specific for the wheat cultivar in question. Overall, the current study has provided useful information on the effect size seed, sowing depth, and disinfection have upon germination characteristics and seedling growth of wheat cultivars, which can form the basis for future field scale trails.Published onlin

The Effects of Body Acupuncture on Obesity: Anthropometric Parameters, Lipid Profile, and Inflammatory and Immunologic Markers

A randomized controlled clinical trial in 196 obese subjects was performed to examine the effectiveness of body acupuncture on body weight loss, lipid profile and immunogenic and inflammatory markers. Subjects received authentic (cases) or sham (controls) acupuncture for 6 weeks in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the following 6 weeks, they received the low-calorie diet alone. Subjects were assessed at the beginning, 6 and 12 weeks later. Heat shock protein (Hsps)-27, 60, 65, 70 antibody titers and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also assessed. A significant reduction in measures of adiposity and improvement in lipid profile were observed in both groups, but the levels of anti-Hsp-antibodies decreased in cases only. A reduction in anthropometric and lipid profile in cases were sustained in the second period, however, only changes in lipid profile were observed in the control group. Anti-Hsp-antibodies and hs-CRP levels continued to be reduced in cases but in controls only the reduction in hs-CRP remained. Changes in anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and anti-Hsp-antibodies were more evident in cases. Body acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was effective in enhancing weight loss and improving dyslipidemia

Case-Control Study of Dietary Pattern and Other Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer

Background: The rates of gastric cancer reported from Ardabil Province of Iran, are among thehighest in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for gastric cancer inArdabil Province.Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 128 adults with mean age of 56.5 ± 12.8 yrold in Ardebil City, Iran in 2010 – 2011. Forty-two people with gastric cancer and 86 healthypeople were recruited. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Fastingblood samples were taken for measurement of IgG and IgA indices against Helicobacter pylori infection.Data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Independent sample t-test.Results: Diet and H. pylori infection indices had the significant relationship with gastric cancer(P<0.05). Among dietary patterns, drinking hot tea, low intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, andunsaturated fat were the most significant risk factors (P<0.05). In gastric cancer patients, the levelsof serum IgG and IgA as indicator of H. pylori infection were significantly (P<0.05) higherthan the healthy subjects (IgG 37.7 ± 29.3 vs. 16.9 ± 11.1 U/ml and IgA 50.5 ± 44.7 vs. 22.9 ±15.8 U/ml). No significant relationship was observed between tobacco smoking and alcohol consumptionwith gastric cancer.Conclusion: Dietary pattern especially drinking hot tea and low consumption of unsaturated fat,fresh vegetables, and fruits, as well as H. pylori infection were the most important risk factors ingastric cancer patients

Evaluation of the Effect of Andrographolide on the Serum Activity of Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Enzymes and Serum Levels of Malondialdehyde in the Rats with Secondary Iron Overload

Background & objectives: Andrographolide has potent antioxidant properties. There is still not a complete understanding of the antioxidant effects of andrographolide. In this study, the effect of andrographolide on the serum antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase was investigated in the rats with secondary iron overload.&nbsp; Methods: In this experimental study, 32 rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 each. The groups included: 1-Control 2- Receiving iron 3- Receiving iron treated with 7 mg/kg andrographolide 4- Receiving 7 mg/kg andrographolide. The serum activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured using colorimetric method. Prussian blue was used to evaluate iron deposition in liver. Results: The results showed that iron was deposited in the liver. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the secondary iron receiving group, compared to control group, was significantly increased (p<0.05). The activity of catalase was significantly decreased in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide, compared to the control and iron receiving groups (p<0.05). Also, the activity of superoxide dismutase in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide decreased significantly compared to the iron receiving group (p<0.05). Serum levels of malondialdehyde in the iron receiving group were higher than the control group (p<0.05). Serum levels of malondialdehyde in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide, compared with the iron receiving group, showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Conclusion: Andrographolide (7mg/kg) reduced the serum activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde serum levels in rats with secondary iron overload. &nbsp; &nbsp