ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LISTENING COMPREHENSION MOTIVATION AND LISTENING COMPREHENSION AMONG THE IRANIAN EFL LEARNERS

The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between Iranian EFL learners’ listening comprehension (LC) and their English listening comprehension motivation (ELCM). It was also aimed at determining the role of gender and years of university study in LC and ELCM. Sixty four Iranian EFL students (32 males and 32 females), majoring in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at the Marvdasht Azad University participated in this study. They included freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.Participants' listening comprehension motivation was measured by English listening comprehension motivation scale (ELCMS) developed by Hsu from Chang's Intrinsic Motivation Orientation Scale (2001). A portion of TOEFL test of language proficiency constructed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS, 2001) was used to determine listening comprehension proficiency level of the participants. The results revealed that the relationship between ELCM and LC was positive and significant. That is, the higher the level of ELCM of the students, the higher the score they attained on the LC test and vice versa. This result indicates that ELCM enhances foreign language listening.An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the years of university study contributed to the level of listening proficiency. That is, the level of LC proficiency increased as a function of years of university study. Concerning the relationship between ELCM and years of university study, no correlation was found. In addition, in this study the data showed no significant difference between males and females’ listening comprehension motivation scores. Keywords:      Listening comprehension (LC), English listening comprehension motivation (LCM), L2 listeners, English as a foreign language (EFL), motivation. 

On the relationship between listening comprehension motivation and listening comprehension among the Iranian EFL learners

The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between Iranian EFL learners’ listening comprehension (LC) and their English listening comprehension motivation (ELCM). It was also aimed at determining the role of gender and years of university study in LC and ELCM. Sixty four Iranian EFL students (32 males and 32 females), majoring in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at the Marvdasht Azad University participated in this study. They included freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Participants' listening comprehension motivation was measured by English listening comprehension motivation scale (ELCMS) developed by Hsu from Chang's Intrinsic Motivation Orientation Scale (2001). A portion of TOEFL test of language proficiency constructed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS, 2001) was used to determine listening comprehension proficiency level of the participants. The results revealed that the relationship between ELCM and LC was positive and significant. That is, the higher the level of ELCM of the students, the higher the score they attained on the LC test and vice versa. This result indicates that ELCM enhances foreign language listening. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the years of university study contributed to the level of listening proficiency. That is, the level of LC proficiency increased as a function of years of university study. Concerning the relationship between ELCM and years of university study, no correlation was found. In addition, in this study the data showed no significant difference between males and females’ listening comprehension motivation scores

Investigation the Antioxidant and the Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extract of Astragals. on In-vitro Indicator Microorganisms

Abstract: Extraction was performed by using maceration method for dried flower sample. Then, the antimicrobial effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts on eight bacterial sp. and two fungi were tested using disc diffusion method. The antioxidant effect was also determined through ferric reducing potency and phosphor molybdenum followed by total phenol determination.  Introduction: The Astragals. is high in certain antioxidants. The fruit is noted for its high level of vitamin C, and is used to make syrup, tea, and marmalade. It has been grown or encouraged in the wild for the production of vitamin C from its fruit (often as rose-hip syrup), especially during conditions of scarcity or during wartime. The species has also been introduced to other temperate latitudes. During World War II in the United States, Rosa canina was planted in victory gardens, and can still be found growing throughout the country, including roadsides and in wet, sandy areas along the coastlines. Methods and Results: Extraction was performed by using maceration method for dried flower sample. Then, the antimicrobial effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts on eight bacterial sp. and two fungi were tested using disc diffusion method. The antioxidant effect was also determined through ferric reducing potency and phosphomolybdenum followed by total phenol determination. Finally, partial detection of bioactive compounds was conducted using chemical and calorimetric methods. The results showed that ethanolic extract had the most antimicrobial effect; while aqueous extract weakly affected bacterial and fungal strains. Antioxidant experiments also revealed that ethanol extract had more antioxidant effects than aqueous extract. The most content of total phenolic compounds was found in ethanol extract. The results of the plant chemical determination showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, tannins, glycosides, and reducing sugars. Conclusions: Considering that few reports about the therapeutic effect of Astragals. has been published, this study could be considered as a valuable report about the important role of this plant on preventing infections and neutralizing oxidant agents

A Mixed Methods Study of Teachers’ Perceptions of Communicative Language Teaching in Iranian High Schools

This mixed methods research study explored Iranian high school English teachers' perceptions of the CLT approach and the problems that may hinder teachers from implementing CLT in classes. In addition, this study investigated the relationships between teachers' backgrounds and their beliefs towards CLT approach. In the quantitative phase of the study, 70 teachers responded to the Attitudes toward Communicative Approach Scale and the Perceived Difficulties of Communicative Language Teaching Implementation Questionnaire. In the qualitative phase of the study, six teachers, three inexperienced and three experienced, participated in semi-structured interviews concerning their beliefs about CLT approach and their perceptions of barriers in implementing CLT in the Iranian EFL setting. The quantitative results of the first questionnaire indicated that teachers had favorable attitudes towards CLT in general and group/pair work in particular. The results of the second questionnaire showed that teachers considered the problems created by educational system as the major hindrance in applying CLT in classes. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analyses revealed a significant and positive correlation between teachers' CLT scores and their professional training but no significant relationship was found between teachers' CLT scores and their teaching experience. The qualitative results indicated that selected teachers yielded a better understanding of teachers' beliefs towards CLT

Identifying the applications and requirements of using artificial intelligence in new automotive products

Artificial intelligence provides unique opportunities to improve the performance of various industries, including the automotive industry. The present study seeks to identify the applications and requirements of using artificial intelligence in new automotive products such as self-driving cars by obtaining opinions from managers and employees of domestic automotive companies through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The interviewees included 11 managers and 17 employees, of which 15 had a bachelor's degree, 11 had a master's degree, and 2 had a doctorate degree. 21 codes were identified in the applications section and 26 codes were identified in the requirements section. After conducting 28 interviews, theoretical saturation was achieved. From the codes identified in the applications section, self-driving cars and voice assistants, shared transportation, and resource allocation, expert staff, and team formation can be mentioned in the requirements section. Considering the variety of artificial intelligence applications in new car products and according to the specified requirements according to the opinions of experts, the development of a suitable platform for hard and soft technologies in an integrated manner; And government support regarding the creation of legal infrastructure can improve the development path of the current technology. Of course, in order to create a context for the successful operation of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry, all the effects of its application from different cultural and social aspects should be considered with a systematic perspective

Facelift: Current Concepts, Techniques, and Principles

The effects of aging on skin, including thinning and loss of muscle tone, result in a flabby or drooping appearance of the face. The demands of an attractive appearance and smooth skin are wanted all around the world. There are a lot of factors which influence the choice of rejuvenation techniques, including anatomy of the facial skeleton, the severity of aging changes, social and economic status of the patient, and structure of the skin. Facelifting is a facial rejuvenation procedure in which by dissection of subcutaneous layers and different suturing techniques we are able to stretch the skin and make the patient look younger. This chapter presents the technique, current concepts, complications, and indications of facelift surgery

Effects of White Chicken Eggshell Powder on Compressive Strength, Water Solubility, and Setting Time of Calcium-Enriched Mixture

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding chicken eggshell powder (CESP) to calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement on its compressive strength (CS), solubility, and setting time. Materials and Methods: In this study, CESP was added at weight percentages of 3% and 5% to the powder component of the CEM cement. To measure the CS, a total of 36 samples (height, 6 mm; diameter, 4 mm) were tested in a universal testing machine. The setting time was assessed for 18 disk-shaped samples (diameter, 10 mm; height, 1 mm). Additionally, solubility test was performed on 18 samples (diameter, 8 mm; height, 1 mm) after 24 hours, 72 hours, seven days, and 14 days under dehydration conditions by calculating the weight changes; the results were then subjected to a normality test. Next, for the comparison of different test groups, parametric ANOVA test and post-hoc Tukey’s multiple comparison test were performed at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The addition of 5% CESP to the CEM cement significantly reduced its setting time and water solubility (P=0.02 and P=0.01, respectively). Moreover, it significantly increased the CS over a 21-day period (P<0.001). Additionally, the addition of 3% CESP also resulted in a significant increase in CS (P<0.001). While 3% CESP reduced setting time and water solubility, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the addition of 5% CESP to CEM cement has the potential to improve its sealing ability, durability, and ability to withstand chewing forces in endodontic treatments. These results highlight the relevance of CESP as an additive for cement modifications and indicate its potential clinical implications

Application of the stages of change model to dairy consumption among students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

زمینه و هدف: الگوی مراحل تغییر در برخی از مطالعات به منظور شناخت مراحل تغییر رژیم غذایی به کار رفته است. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی کاربرد الگوی مراحل تغییر برای مصرف لبنیات در دانشجویان دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهرکرد انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه مقطعی 423 نفر از دانشجویان دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهرکرد در سال 1390 بررسی شدند. نمونه گیری به روش تصادفی خوشه ای دو مرحله ای انجام شد. جهت جمع آوری اطلاعات از پرسشنامه 3 بخشی استفاده شد که شامل اطلاعات دموگرافیک، پرسشنامه استاندارد بسامد مصرف غذایی (FFQ) و پرسشنامه استاندارد مراحل تغییر بود. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون های آماری کای-اسکوئر، من ویتنی، کروسکال والیس و رگرسیون لجستیک در نرم افزار SPSS آنالیز شدند. یافته ها: میانگین سنی دانشجویان 3/3 ± 1/22 سال (با دامنه 35-18 سال) بود. 4/67 آن ها مونث و 21 متاهل بودند. بیشترین و کمترین فراوانی مصرف لبنیات به ترتیب مربوط به پنیر و کشک بود. اکثر دانشجویان (1/78) روزانه سهم کافی از لبنیات مصرف نمی کردند. در دانشجویان مجرد نسبت به افراد متاهل سهم مصرف روزانه لبنیات بیشتر بود (05/0>P). بررسی مصرف لبنیات بر اساس الگوی مراحل تغییر نشان داد که اکثر دانشجویان (1/24) در مرحله تفکر و کمترین آن ها در مرحله پیش از تفکر (4/10) بودند. 6/54 از دانشجویان در مراحل قبل از عمل (پیش از تفکر، تفکر و آمادگی) و 4/45 در مراحل بعد از عمل (اقدام و نگهداری) برای ایجاد تغییر بودند. نتیجه گیری: از نظر مدل فرا تئوری یا مراحل تغییر، بیشتر دانشجویان مورد بررسی در مراحل قبل از عمل به ویژه مرحله تفکر قرار داشتند همچنین اکثر دانشجویان سهم کافی از لبنیات مصرف نمی کردند؛ لذا این تئوری می تواند برای طراحی مداخلاتی جهت افزایش مصرف لبنیات در این گروه از جمعیت مناسب باشد

An evaluation of small businesses in Iran

As one of the most important and fundamental issues, employment is an indicator of development and welfare in any country. Due to the rapid growth of population over the past decades in Iran, investigating unemployment and the obstacles hindering employment is of paramount importance. In this study, a questionnaire was used and a group of experts were interviewed in order to identify four groups of legal, economic, social as well as individual factors, which could improve or hinder the growth of small businesses and self-employment. In this paper, having determined the factors influencing the expansion or downsizing the small businesses, the entrepreneurs, agents supporting small businesses, and the members of employment groups in Mazandaran Province, Iran rated the four categories. Finally, the most important growth factors or challenges faced by small businesses from the three aforementioned perspectives were compared