The Effect of Translating Persian Stories on Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Speaking Ability

The current study attempts to determine the effect of translating Persian stories on Iranian intermediate EFL Learners’ speaking ability.To achieve this, sixty intermediate Iranian EFL learners were selected through a cluster random sampling procedure. Because of the institute’s policy and regular teaching program, it was not possible to assign all of the participants into the two groups randomly, and thus the students were required to remain intact in their regular classes during the intervention time slots. They formed two groups, namely Control and Experimental groups. Before the study, the participants of both group had a pre-test of speaking. Then the Participants in the control group were treated with the existing method of teaching speaking (Communicative Language Teaching Approach: CLT) but the participants in the experimental group had some translation tasks in addition to being instructed through CLT that was translating Persian stories into English. The treatment lasted for five weeks, each week two sessions. After the treatment was finished, the participant in both groups of the study took the speaking ability post-test. Their post-test scores were analyzed through ANCOVA, and the result indicated that the experimental group performed significantly better that the control group after the intervention.Keywords: Speaking ability, Translation, Persian stories, Intermediate level

Hematological profile of high-fat diet-induced murine model of metabolic syndrome

The present study was conducted to address how high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) makes alterations to murine hematological profile. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 80 male NMRI mice was measured and mice with FPG falling within the range of 80-160 were included as healthy or non-diabetic mice. Afterward, mice in the selected population were categorized into two separate main groups including normal control (NC, n = 32) and HFD -induced MetS (n = 32) having received a normal chow diet and a HFD, respectively, and 8 mice sacrificed for a biochemical and hematological profile at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 16. Lipid profiling, peripheral blood analysis, and bone marrow (BM) interpretation were considered endpoints. Results were analyzed in a separated time panel using a non-paired t-test at the significance level of p˂0.05. Gained weight at week 16, increased accumulation of abdominal fat at week 8, raised FPG at weeks 2 and 8 and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at week 8 were observed in MetS compared to NC group confirming successful translation of a murine model of MetS. Hematologically, no change in serum ferritin, serum iron, hematocrit, platelet count, and differential leukocyte count (DLC) was observed in MetS compared to NC group. By contrast, MetS group showed raised absolute basophil count compared to NC group at week 8. Strikingly, MetS group showed a downward trend in hemoglobin concentration compared to NC group. However, this downward trend was only significant in the 2nd week. In addition, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin in MetS group dropped at week 8 compared to NC group. Furthermore, MetS group showed decreased erythroid lineage cells including proerythroblast, polychromatophilic erythroblast, and orthochromatophilic erythroblast proposing the presence of anemia in the murine model of MetS. Histopathologic evaluation of BM showed decreased cellularity and increased infiltration of lipids in MetS compared to NC group. Additionally, MetS group showed the reduced number of basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in BM during the first 8 weeks of the study. However, in the 16th week, lymphocytes were the only decreased cells, and the absolute count of neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes was raised possibly towards higher production of inflammatory cells in MetS group. It is worth noting that change in the number of plasma cells was shown to be highly variable throughout study. Following the successful development of a HFD-induced murine model of MetS, histological examination of BM in MetS mice showed reduced cellularity and enhanced accumulation of adipose tissue. Additionally, BM analysis indicated significantly decreased basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes at early weeks of receiving diet; however, increased neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes were observed at the end of the study which can primarily be considered reactive leukocytosis due to MetS-mediated inflammatory response. Furthermore, enumeration of erythroid lineage cells in BM demonstrated a significant decrease in proerythroblasts, polychromatophilic erythroblasts, and orthochromatophilic erythroblasts, highly suggestive of anemia

High performance 8-bit approximate multiplier using novel 4:2 approximate compressors for fast image processing

In this paper, a novel 8-bit approximate multiplier is proposed based on three novel 4:2 approximate compressors which its delay and error is less than those of the multipliers constructed by traditional 4:2 approximate compressors, and its delay is also less than that of an 8-bit multiplier constructed by using 3:2 precise compressors. To do so, each novel compressor is designed such that its output carry is independent of the output carry of its previous compressor in the multiplier. Therefore, the problem of carry propagation delay is eliminated and a fast multiplier is constructed. To obtain the most accurate multiplier, the best compressor of the three proposed compressors for each multiplier’s column is determined using the genetic algorithm. Moreover, one can use the approximate compressors only at the k least significant multiplier’s columns for more error reduction. The proposed multiplier is used for image blending and image compression. Our simulations show that for example the error and the delay of the proposed method for k=9 is at-least 32.52% and 33.10% less than those of traditional 4:2 approximate compressor based multipliers, respectively.Abstract: In this paper, a novel 8-bit approximate multiplier is proposed based on three novel 4:2 approximate compressors which its delay and error is less than those of the multipliers constructed by traditional 4:2 approximate compressors, and its delay is also less than that of an 8-bit multiplier constructed by using 3:2 precise compressors. To do so, each novel compressor is designed such that its output carry is independent of the output carry of its previous compressor in the multiplier. Therefore, the problem of carry propagation delay is eliminated and a fast multiplier is constructed. To obtain the most accurate multiplier, the best compressor of the three proposed compressors for each multiplier’s column is determined using the genetic algorithm. Moreover, one can use the approximate compressors only at the k least significant multiplier’s columns for more error reduction. The proposed multiplier is used for image blending and image compression. Our simulations show that for example the error and the delay of the proposed method for k=9 is at-least 32.52% and 33.10% less than those of traditional 4:2 approximate compressor based multipliers, respectively

Designing a model and historical cost calculation of services by ABC method and budgeting By ABB method

This study deals with the design of the historical cost calculation model by Activity Based Costing (ABC) method and budgeting model based on the Activity Based Budgeting (ABB) in the municipality of Sirik Port. The present study is a descriptive-survey type with operating approach and applied results. The activity and output cost were calculated by using activity-based costing method and then budget was anticipated based on the activity. First, the historical cost of services was calculated by (ABC) method and then was compared to the historical cost of the current municipal accounting systems that was calculated by traditional (conventional) methods to determine whether there is a significant difference between these two costing methods or not. Also, the budget anticipated by (ABB) method is compared to the budget compiled by conventional method to determine whether there is a significant difference between these two methods of budgeting or not. Finally, whether the Activity Based Costing and Activity Based Budgeting can be used in the municipality of Sirik Port or not. The results indicate that there is significant difference between the activity-based historical cost with available traditional costing methods and also between activity-based budgeting with budgeting by traditional (conventional) method. Also there is the calculating possibility of the historical cost of service by (ABC) method and budgeting by (ABB) method in the municipality of Sirik Port

Prophylactic Effects of Ephedrine, Ondansetron and Ringer on Hemodynamic Changes during Cesarean Section under Spinal Anesthesia — a randomized clinical trial

Background: Hemodynamic change during spinal anaesthesia for cesarean section is prevalent. Objective: Comparing the prophylactic effects of ephedrine, ondansetron and ringer on hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anaesthesia. Material and methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out on pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean sec­tion referred to teaching hospitals of Mashhad, Iran. Patients allocated to three groups of intravenous ondansetron (O) (4 mg, 5 min),intramuscular ephedrine (E) (25 mg, 25 min) and ringer (R) (500 ml, 20 min) prior to spinal anaesthesia. Anaesthesia inducted with 10–15 mg of bupivacaine. Vital signs were recorded every 3 minutes for 18 minutes including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse rate (PR), pulse oximetry (SpO2). Results: Ninety patients with a mean age of 29.4 ± 5.4 years were studied in three groups of O (n = 30), E (n = 30), R (n = 30). Results showed a statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of hypotension 12 minutes after spinal anaesthesia in the three groups, but no statistically significant difference was found in the rest of minutes among the three groups. Dur­ing follow-up minutes, bradycardia was observed in only one patient (1.1%) of Group O and no cases of this sign were observed in other minutes and other groups. Conclusion: Intramuscular administration of ephedrine 25 minutes prior to the spinal anaesthesia leads to better prevention of systolic blood pressure changes compared with intravenous ondansetron and ringer, while administration of ondansetron and ringer had the same effects on reducing hemodynamic changes

Designing a model and historical cost calculation of services by ABC method and budgeting By ABB method

This study deals with the design of the historical cost calculation model by Activity Based Costing (ABC) method and budgeting model based on the Activity Based Budgeting (ABB) in the municipality of Sirik Port. The present study is a descriptive-survey type with operating approach and applied results. The activity and output cost were calculated by using activity-based costing method and then budget was anticipated based on the activity. First, the historical cost of services was calculated by (ABC) method and then was compared to the historical cost of the current municipal accounting systems that was calculated by traditional (conventional) methods to determine whether there is a significant difference between these two costing methods or not. Also, the budget anticipated by (ABB) method is compared to the budget compiled by conventional method to determine whether there is a significant difference between these two methods of budgeting or not. Finally, whether the Activity Based Costing and Activity Based Budgeting can be used in the municipality of Sirik Port or not. The results indicate that there is significant difference between the activity-based historical cost with available traditional costing methods and also between activity-based budgeting with budgeting by traditional (conventional) method. Also there is the calculating possibility of the historical cost of service by (ABC) method and budgeting by (ABB) method in the municipality of Sirik Port

The effect of melatonin on aerobic capacity and time of exhaustion during a sub-maximum activity in girl students of physical education

Background: Preservation and storage of muscle glycogen is the most important factor limiting the success of individuals in performing the following activities. It has been shown that melatonin supplementation before exercise can maintain glycogen stores. This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin consumption (6 mg) on the time of exhaustion during a submaximal-activity and also the maximum oxygen consumption during an increasing activity in physical education girl students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 13 girls with the mean age of 21.5±1.29 years, the mean weight of 58.36±2.69 kg and vo2max 39.08±4.17 mg/kg/min were participated and received melatonin (6 mg) and placebo (starch capsules) in two complementary steps. Supplements were administered acutely 30 minutes before the exercise. Each test was repeated in placebo and supplement conditions. To ensure the elimination of exercise and supplement impact, the interval of 5 to 7 days was considered between the two tests. The sub-maximal and progressive protocols respectively included running below the maximum intensity (70 of the heart rate reserve) to exhaustion and the Bruce's test on the treadmill. Results: The results showed that consumption of 6 mg melatonin significantly increased the time to reach exhaustion (P=0.01) and the maximum oxygen consumption (P=0.002). Conclusion: It appears that trained girls can use 6 mg of melatonin supplement 30 minutes before starting the exercise to improve endurance performance and aerobic capacity

Detection of eight foodborne bacterial pathogens by oligonucleotide array hybridization

Background: Simultaneous and rapid detection of multiple foodborne bacterial pathogens is important for the prevention of foodborne illnesses. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA sequences as targets for simultaneous detection of eight foodborne bacterial pathogens. Methods: Nineteen bacterial oligonucleotide probes were synthesized and applied to nylon membranes. Digoxygenin labeled 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA from bacteria were amplified by PCR using universal primers, and the amplicons were hybridized to the membrane array. Hybridization signals were visualized by NBT/BCIP color development. Results: The eight intestinal bacterial pathogens including Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio cholerae, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis were appropriately detected in a panel of oligonucleotide array hybridization. The experimental results showed that the method could discriminate the bacterial pathogens successfully. The sensitivity of oligonucleotide array was 103 CFU/ml. Conclusion: This study showed that 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA genes had sufficient sequence diversity for species identification and were useful for monitoring the populations of foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, results obtained in this study revealed that oligonucleotide array hybridization had a powerful capability to detect and identify the bacterial pathogens simultaneously

The relationship of hyperlipidemia with maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Background: Concentrations of plasma lipids levels during pregnancy clearly increases. According to some studies, dyslipidemia is effective in the incidence of preeclampsia and insulin resistance. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between hyperlipidemia and maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on two groups of pregnant women with hyperlipidemia and normal ones to assess maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal data including gestational age, mother’s age, body mass index, and maternal weight gain during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, cholestasis, and delivery method. Also, birth weight and Apgar score were gathered as the neonatal outcomes. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of abnormal lipid parameters increased with increasing gestational age. In pregnant women with dyslipidemia in combination with increased triglyceride, cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein, and decreased High-density lipoprotein, the incidence rates of gestational diabetes (p < 0.001), preeclampsia (p < 0.001), cholestasis (p = 0.041), fetal growth retardation (p < 0.001), and macrosomia (p < 0.001) were statistically higher. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was associated with some adverse effects of pregnancy and harmful fetal outcomes. Therefore, it seems that adding laboratory assessment of lipid profiles before and during pregnancy can be effective in early diagnosis of dyslipidemia. Key words: Dyslipidemias, Gestational diabetes, Preeclampsia, Fetal macrosomia