The construct validity and reliability of the characteristics of successful EFL teachers questionnaire (CoSEFLT-Q)

The present study re-evaluated the construct validity and reliability of the ‘Characteristics of Successful EFL Teachers’ questionnaire. A total of 814 EFL learners participated in the study. The data were analysed, using exploratory factor analyses (EFA), confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), and reliability analyses. The findings demonstrated all items were loaded on the factors with the relevant content except for two which were loaded on three factors with almost similar loadings. Consequently, they were omitted. Accordingly, factor analysis resulted in seven main factors with 45 items. CFA findings verified the obtained factorial structure. Reliability analyses also provided satisfactory results

Factors that influence marital intimacy: a qualitative analysis of Iranian married couples

Intimacy is a key factor contributing to marriage satisfaction, marriage quality, marriage stability, and marriage functioning. Despite significant attention on marital intimacy, the focus of most research has either centered on the functions of marital intimacy or aspects of the construct in marriage satisfaction. Factors that influence couple intimacy are largely overlooked. Existing studies mainly have used cross-sectional survey data. Very little exists on intimacy factors in non-western cultures. No previous research has explored intimacy through the lens of intimate couples. Therefore, this qualitative study is an attempt to investigate factors that enhance the marital intimacy of Iranian couples and introduce culture-sensitive factors. Using criterion-based purposive sampling, 14 females and males (i.e., seven intimate couples) were selected to participate in the present study, and the con-sensual qualitative research method was utilized to analyze data from the semi-structured interviews and personal diaries. Results demonstrated that factors enhancing marital intimacy were (i) family, (ii) shared time/length of marital relationship , (iii) reciprocity in self-sacrifice (iv) gratitude (v) new shared activity, (vi

Technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy in the assessment of cold thyroid nodules: is it time to change the approach to the management of cold thyroid nodules?

Background Scanning with technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) is recommended for evaluating thyroid nodule metabolism. In addition, it may help differentiate between benign and malignant nodules; however, the efficacy of this technique has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, it is not currently performed for routine clinical application. This prospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical significance of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in the assessment of patients with cold thyroid nodules

Server connection versus marital disconnection: an investigation of the effect of internet addiction on couple burnout in Iran

The internet has become ubiquitous in many people's lives to an extent that necessitates the investigation of its impact on marital relationships. There has been a lack of such studies in the Iranian context and the present study investigated the relationship between internet addiction and couple burnout. A total of 377 married individuals participated in an online survey comprising demographic information, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Couple Burnout Measure (CBM). Partial least squares –structure equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess the relationships in the proposed research model. Structural equation modelling showed a significant effect of sub-components of internet addiction (lack of control; social withdrawal and emotional conflict; time management problems; and concealing problematic behavior) on emotional burnout. In addition, lack of control and time management problems showed significant and positive effect on somatic burnout. However, the relationships between internet addiction components and psychological burnout were not demonstrated as hypothesized. Given the explained relationships between factors comprising internet addiction and couple burnout, couple therapists need to be made more aware of the risks of internet overuse upon marital relationships and to encourage couples to optimize the internet use to prevent negative outcomes (in particular emotional burnout) among couples

The Persian Soccer Spectator Behaviour Inventory (PSSBI): development and psychometric properties of the PSSBI using structural equation modelling (SEM)

Psychometric instruments assessing spectator motives for attending professional sports have mostly been validated in a Western context. The present study describes the development of the Persian Soccer Spectator Behaviour Inventory (PSSBI). The 21-item PSSBI was completed by 1385 Iranian spectators. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the 21 items loaded on four factors: Promotional Incentives, Game Attractiveness, Schedule Considerations, and Economic Considerations. These factors demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and explained 65.48% of the total variance. It is concluded that the resulting 20-item PSSBI is a viable tool for assessing football fans’ motives for attending professional football matches in Iran

Are children with SARS-CoV-2 infection at high risk for thrombosis? Viscoelastic testing and coagulation profiles in a case series of pediatric patients

© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC The coagulopathy of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well documented in adults, with increases in D-dimer and prothrombin time found to be strong predictors of mortality, and anticoagulation shown to decrease this mortality. Viscoelastic parameters such as elevations in maximum clot firmness (MCF) on rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have correlated with a hypercoagulable state in adults with SARS-CoV-2. We report our experience in children infected with SARS-CoV-2, with noted elevations in D-dimer and MCF on ROTEM (indicating hypercoagulability). Exploration of viscoelastic testing to provide additional laboratory-based evidence for pediatric-specific risk assessment for thromboprophylaxis in SARS-CoV-2 is warranted

Protocol for a multicentre, prospective cohort study of clinical, proteomic and genomic patterns associated with osteoporosis to develop a multidimensional fracture assessment tool: the PoCOsteo Study

INTRODUCTION: The HORIZON 2020 project PoCOsteo aims (1) to develop a multidimensional fracture risk assessment tool which would take into account all factors known to be related to an individual's fracture risk. The fracture risk model is intended to be developed in two different populations, namely a European and a Middle Eastern one; (2) to develop a medical device, which would measure and/or quantify proteomic as well as genomic factors as present in whole blood samples collected through finger prick; (3) to test the clinical applicability and the validity of prototypes of the to be developed point of care device at both clinical centres. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This article presents the protocol of this prospective cohort that will be carried out independently at two different centres (Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Medical University of Graz (MUG) as a clinic-based cohort, and Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) as a population-based cohort). The final aim is to develop a fracture risk assessment model, which would include clinical risk factors, biochemical markers of bone turnover, as well as specific genomic factors. The derivation cohorts will consist of individuals aged 50 years and above. The period of observation for each patient will be 12 months; an extension phase, which would last for another 2 years, is also planned. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: These studies are conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. The Iranian part was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of EMRI, TUMS. The Austrian part was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Graz. Based on the gathered information, a multidimensional fracture assessment tool will be designed which will later be added to the PoCOsteo device

Comparison of anthro-metabolic indicators for predicting the risk of metabolic syndrome in the elderly population: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster metabolic disorder that includes central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, and is highly associated with an increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to compare the reliability of anthro-metabolic indices [visceral adiposity index (VAI), body roundness index (BRI), and a body shape index (BSI), body adiposity index (BAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), waist to hip ratio, and waist to height ratio] in predicting MetS in Iranian older people. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted based on the data of 2426 adults aged ≥60 years that participated in the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program, a population-based prospective cohort study being conducted in Bushehr, Iran. MetS was defined based on the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess predictive performance of anthro-metabolic indices and determine optimal cutoff values. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the associations between MetS and indices. Results 2426 subjects (48.1% men) with mean ± SD age of 69.34 ± 6.40 years were included in the study. According to ATP III criteria, 34.8% of men and 65.2% of women had MetS (P < 0.001). Of the seven examined indices, the AUCs of VAI and LAP in both genders were higher than AUCs of other anthro-metabolic indices. Also, in general population, VAI and LAP had the greatest predictive power for MetS with AUC 0.87(0.86–0.89) and 0.87(0.85–0.88), respectively. The lowest AUC in total population belonged to BSI with the area under the curve of 0.60(0.58–0.62). After adjusting for potential confounders (e.g. age, sex, education, physical activity, current smoking) in the logistic regression model, the highest OR in the total population was observed for VAI and LAP, which was 16.63 (13.31–20.79) and 12.56 (10.23–15.43) respectively. The lowest OR for MetS was 1.93(1.61–2.30) for BSI. Conclusion This study indicated that both VAI and LAP are the most valuable indices among the anthro-metabolic indices to identify MetS among the elderly in both genders. So, they could be used as proper assessment tools for MetS in clinical practice. However, the cost-benefit of these indices compared to the ATP III criteria need further studies