The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Willingness to Communicate among Iranian EFL Learners

English has changed into an international language after second world war and over a million people speak into it as their first, second or third language across the world. However, knowing a language is accompanied with speaking skill and the ability to communicate with it. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to find the factors which affect EFL students’ willingness to communicate (WTC). To find the relationships between willingness to communicate and students’ emotional intelligence (EQ- i) two questionnaires were used and 130 intermediate students were selected randomly from 6 language institutes in Saveh. Their level of language proficiency was determined through administering Cambridge Language Proficiency Test (Language, PET) and results of the Person Correlation Test showed a positive relationship between EFL Learners’ WTC and four factors of the EQ-i named: Interpersonal Relationship (IP), Empathy (EM), Assertiveness (AS), and Emotional Self-Awareness (ES) and emotional intelligence

Spatial Dynamics of a Phlebotomine Sand Flies Population in Response to Climatic Conditions in Bushehr Province of Iran

Background: Phlebotomine (Ph.) sand flies are the vectors of different types of leishmaniasis and arboviruses to humans. Variations in climate conditions could lead to changes in the dynamics of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) and its agents, such as Ph. sand flies and reservoirs. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the spatial relationship among climatic factors and phlebotomine sand flies in abundance in Bushehr Province of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, six village sites in Bushehr Province were selected for collecting Ph. sand flies. All-night landing catches of Ph. sand flies occurred between January 15, 2016, and December 15, 2016. Two types of climatic data were used: satellite-based data included daytime and nighttime land surface temperature and the normalized deference vegetation index, and station-based data included annual rainfall and annual mean air temperature and solar radiation (W/M2). Spatial correlation analysis and multivariate ordinary least square regression was used to detect the spatial association between caught Ph. sand flies and climatic factors in a 0.95 confidence level (p = 0.05). Results: The results of the spatial correlation matrix indicated thermal factors, such as mean and maximum air temperature, instantaneous daytime and nighttime land surface temperatures, and radiation, show a direct and significant spatial correlation with the number of sand flies caught. The annual frequency of sand flies in the region showed the highest direct spatial relationship with the annual maximum air temperature (r = 0.91). Environmental moisture factors, such as precipitation and the vegetation index of the region, have spatial correlations of 0.63 and 0.44 with the frequency of the annual caught sand flies, which are significant at the confidence level of 0.95. The results of the multivariable model for estimating the frequency of the caught sand flies indicate environmental estimators, including mean air temperature, rainfall, radiation, and vegetation index, in a linear estimation model can explain the 0.85 spatial variation of the caught sand flies population. This study aimed to detect spatial correlations between the sand fly population and climatic factors. The results showed climatic factors were the most important controllers of the sand fly population in the interannual scale. If sand fly control programs are conducted in accordance with the climatic conditions of the area, the population of this carrier in Bushehr Province can be controlled and the incidence of disease significantly reduced

The survey of effect of Kombucha tea on activity of hepatic UDPGT enzyme in mice

Background and aims: Kombucha is an ancient food and healing source with Asian origin. Kombucha consists of a wide range of acids, including vitamin C, organic materials, enzymes, and B-group vitamins, which has provided it with immense value. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Kombucha tea consumption on hepatic UDPGT enzyme in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 21 small male albino mice and CD-1 genus were used. Albino mice species were purchased from serum Institute in Karaj Hisarak. Mice with a weight between 18 to 25 g were selected. Animals were kept in triplex group in polycarbonate cages. Animal rooms were equipped with air-conditioner. Ambient temperature was retained at about 22°C, and humidity 50%. A light cycle was set at 12 hours brightness and 12 hours darkness. The intensive diet was used that produced by animal Pars feeds for mice feeding. Finally, UDPGA enzyme was measured. Results: Consumption of kombucha tea for seven days of experiment caused a significant increase in enzyme activity in mice liver UDPGT compared to the negative control group, from the first day until the seventh day of experiment. Conclusion: Kombucha tea induced the UDPGT enzyme; thus, it accelerated the detoxification of the body and should be cautioned about simultaneous administration of this beverage with some drugs (such as steroids, acetaminophen, cardio– vascular medicine, etc.) that they metabolize through conjugation. Medical community in this case must be justified and their opinion must be considered when people are using this tea. Finally, kombucha tea consumption did not increase the liver weight. So, UDPGT induction was not the reason of liver weight increase

A Comprehensive Review on the Metabolic Cooperation Role of Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2 and Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 against Homeostasis Changes in Diabetes

Objective: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and inflammation, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen activators. In these cases, some of the body’s innate factors are activated to cope with these dangerous situations. The purpose of the review is to explain the collaboration between the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in homeostasis and body metabolism with a focus on diabetes. Materials and methods: This review is based on searching the PubMed database, SCOPUS, Elsevier and citation lists of relevant publications. Subject heading and key words used include diabetes, oxidative stress, inflammation, NRF2, and FGF21. Only articles in English were included. Results: NRF2 and FGF21 are two attractive biomarkers for the diagnosis of specific metabolic disorders and therapeutic targets, which have been implicated as therapeutic targets for the management of diabetic complications. The combination of both factors leads to the regulation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses and metabolic pathways. Conclusions: Given most studies of NRF2- and FGF21-based therapeutic interventions in animal models and the possibility of not achieving the same results in humans, further clinical studies are needed to determine the efficacy of NRF2 and FGF21 in treatment of patients with diabetes

The bipartite edge frustration of extension of splice and link graphs

AbstractThe smallest number of edges that have to be deleted from a graph G to obtain a bipartite spanning subgraph is called the bipartite edge frustration of G and denoted by φ(G). In this paper we extend the splice and link for two graphs and determine their bipartite edge frustration. As an application, the bipartite edge frustration of a polybuckyball is computed

Self-Reported Knowledge and Attitude of Dentists towards Prescription of Fluoride

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the self-reported knowledge and attitude of dentists towards fluoride prescription. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted at the national annual dental congress in 2010 in Tehran-Iran. Dentists’ level of knowledge about the preventive effects of systemic and topical administration of fluoride was assessed as well as their attitudes towards its application. Self-reported practice for two paper patients (a child and an adult with high risk of dental caries) was assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: A total of 347 dentists including 232 (73.4%) males and 84 (26.6%) females responded; 84.7% agreed/strongly agreed with addition of fluoride to water and 66% agreed with prescription of fluoride tablets/drops in fluoride-deficient areas. Fluoridated toothpastes were considered useful by 85.3%; this rate was 78.7% for fluoride rinse and 87.6% for fluoride varnish, foam or gel. The majority of dentists (67.4%) reported no access to clear guidelines on fluoride application; 83% considered fluoride to be effective for caries prevention in children less than 12 years and 39.2% believed it was useful for adults and adolescents; 50% of the respondents correctly managed the high-risk child and adult with respect to appropriate selection of fluoride product. Younger dentists (OR=0.94; 95% CI 0.8-0.9; P=0.043) and new graduates (OR=0.94; 95% CI 0.89-0.99; P=0.034) were more likely to correctly manage the high-risk child.   Conclusion: Dentists had good knowledge and positive attitudes towards fluoride application. New graduates were more likely to correctly manage the young high-risk patient

Witamina D, układ renina–angiotensyna i COVID-19 — ich znaczenie w cukrzycy

Wirus SARS-CoV-2 jest przyczyną wybuchu pandemii choroby koronawirusowej COVID-19. Mechanizm zakażenia i ekspresji objawów tej choroby wzbudził duże zainteresowanie naukowców. Do dzisiaj nie wyjaśniono całkowicie większości aspektów patofizjologii zakażenia SARS-CoV-2, zwłaszcza u chorych na cukrzycę. Jednym z tych aspektów jest korelacja między konwertazą angiotensyny 2 (ACE2), częścią układu renina–angiotensyna (RAS) a zakażeniem SARS-CoV-2. Enzym ACE2 został uznany za potencjalny receptor wejścia dla wirusa SARS-CoV-2. W niniejszym przeglądzie omówiono rolę RAS i ACE2 w patofizjologii COVID-19 u chorych z cukrzycą. Ponadto wyjaśniono rolę witaminy D w regulacji RAS w przebiegu COVID-19

Vitamin D, renin-angiotensin system, and COVID-19 — their importance in diabetes

The SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and has created much interest in the mechanisms of its infection and expression of this disease. To date, the majority of aspects remain to be investigated in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV2 infection, especially in diabetic patients. One of these aspects is the correlation between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a part of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and SARS-CoV-2 infection. ACE2 has been recognized as a potential entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. This review discusses the role of RAS and ACE2 in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 in patients with diabetes. Moreover, we will explain the role of vitamin D in regulating the RAS in COVID-19