On the Correlation between Teachers’ Emotional Intelligence and Learners’ Motivation: The Case of Iranian EFL Learners

The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible correlation between teachers’ emotional intelligence and EFL learners’ motivation. To conduct the research, a sample of 240 EFL learners and 26 EFL teachers was selected. The instruments utilized in the current scrutiny were Bar-On's (1997) Emotional Intelligence Inventory and Gardner's (1985) Attitude Motivation Test Battery. The analysis of data was carried out through running correlation, multiple regressions and t-test analyses. Based on the gained upshots, the teachers' emotional intelligence was found to significantly correlate with EFL learners’ motivation in the study sample. Proficiency level was also reported to play a considerable part vis-à-vis the relationship between the teachers' emotional intelligence and learners' motivation. Moreover, the five sub-scales of Bar-On's emotional intelligence inventory came to have a significant correlation with learners’ motivation. Finally, a significant amount of correlation held between the twelve sub-scales of motivation and teachers’ emotional intelligence. Keywords: emotional intelligence, Iranian EFL teachers/learners, motivatio

The Effect of Cycloplegia on the Ocular Biometric and Anterior Segment Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effects of cycloplegia on the biometric components and anterior segment parameters of the eye. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, changes to axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) lens thickness, anterior chamber angle (ACA) and volume, corneal thickness in the pupil center (PC), corneal curvature (CC) and white-to-white (WTW) following cycloplegia induced by tropicamide 1% in 42 eyes of patients aged 23-58 years were assessed. Biometric components and anterior segment parameters were measured using an IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and a Pentacam HR (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), respectively. RESULTS: Significant statistical changes in ACD (increased by 0.06 ± 0.05 mm; p  0.05). Also, a significant inferior displacement of the PC along the vertical axes was seen (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Cycloplegia resulted in a deeper ACD and thinner lens thickness. These changes should be considered in determining intraocular lens (IOL) power to prevent refractive surprises in cataract surgery and also in the phakic IOL implantation

Recent progress in the intranasal PLGA-based drug delivery for neurodegenerative diseases treatment

One of the most challenging problems of the current treatments of neurodegenerative diseases is related to the permeation and access of most therapeutic agents to the central nervous system (CNS), prevented by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Recently, intranasal (IN) delivery has opened new prospects because it directly delivers drugs for neurological diseases into the brain via the olfactory route. Recently, PLGA-based nanocarriers have attracted a lot of interest for IN delivery of drugs. This review gathered clear and concise statements of the recent progress of the various developed PLGA-based nanocarriers for IN drug delivery in brain diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain tumors, ischemia, epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia. Subsequently, future perspectives and challenges of PLGA-based IN administration are discussed briefly

Mustard Gas Effects on Iranian Veterans After 20 Years as Shown on Chest High-resolution Computed Tomography: A Follow-up Study

Introduction: Mustard gas is a known chemical weapon that was used in the 1980-1988 Iran- Iraq War. It causes many health problems, including serious respiratory damage. In this study, we used high-resolution computed tomography to assess the pulmonary complications after 20 years of veterans of the Iran-Iraq War who were exposed to mustard gas. Materials and Methods: This was a follow-up study conducted on 200 Iranian veterans with a history of exposure to mustard gas at least 20 years previously. High-resolution computed tomography was performed on all veterans and was interpreted by two independent expert radiologists who were blinded to the study. The frequency of high-resolution computed tomography ndings was reported. Data were analyzed with statistical package for the social sciences version 20 software. Results:One hundred twenty veterans (60%) showed HRCT abnormalities. The most frequent high-resolution computed tomography ndings were diffuse hyper-aeration, 63 (52.5%); interstitial opacity, 50 (41.7%); parenchymal opacity, 26 (21.7%); bronchiectasis, 15 (12.5%); sub-pleural air trapping, 13 (10.8%); and local brosis, 10 (8.3%). Generally, lower lobes were more frequently affected. Conclusion: This study showed a high frequency of abnormal high-resolution computed tomography ndings in veterans who were exposed to mustard gas, and most abnormalities were irreversible. These ndings included diffuse hyper-aeration, interstitial opacity, parenchymal opacity, bronchiectasis, sub-pleural air trapping, and local brosis

The future of sensitivity analysis: an essential discipline for systems modeling and policy support

Sensitivity analysis (SA) is en route to becoming an integral part of mathematical modeling. The tremendous potential benefits of SA are, however, yet to be fully realized, both for advancing mechanistic and data-driven modeling of human and natural systems, and in support of decision making. In this perspective paper, a multidisciplinary group of researchers and practitioners revisit the current status of SA, and outline research challenges in regard to both theoretical frameworks and their applications to solve real-world problems. Six areas are discussed that warrant further attention, including (1) structuring and standardizing SA as a discipline, (2) realizing the untapped potential of SA for systems modeling, (3) addressing the computational burden of SA, (4) progressing SA in the context of machine learning, (5) clarifying the relationship and role of SA to uncertainty quantification, and (6) evolving the use of SA in support of decision making. An outlook for the future of SA is provided that underlines how SA must underpin a wide variety of activities to better serve science and society

Hierarchical Aggregate Structure by Inductive Aggregation for Interactive Data Visualization

Data visualization is a method to facilitate the process of knowledge discovery and decision making. Effective and practical visual analytic systems have to support real-time and smooth interaction. Traditional data processing techniques and systems are inadequate when it comes to large datasets. The powerful features of relational database engines can be adapted to facilitate the visual representation of very large datasets. In this thesis, we propose techniques to provide a tightly coupled system with a database engine back-end to support a data visualization front-end. We employ data reduction techniques along with other methods to form a hierarchical data structure that we call the inductive-aggregate pyramid to provide multiple representations of data. We also propose a generalized form of inductive-aggregate pyramids that we call cubed pyramids to provide a richer representation of high-dimensional data. We develop and employ techniques to build and query efficiently these structures to support interactive data visualization

Nurses' experience of using video consultation in a digital care setting and its impact on their workflow and communication.

Sweden as many other countries uses video consultation to increase patients' access to primary healthcare services particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in digital care settings and using new technologies, in this case video consultations, require learning new skills and adoption to new workflow. The aim of this study is to explore nurses' experience of using video consultation in a digital care setting and its impact on their workflow and communication. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with registered nurses recruited from a private digital healthcare provider. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an abductive approach. Nurses' workflow was modeled, and several categories and subcategories were identified: nurses' workflow (efficiency, flexibility, and information accessibility); communication (interaction with patients and interprofessional communication); user experience (change and development of the platform, challenges, and combining digital and physical care). Even though providing online care has its limitations, the nurses were positive towards using video consultations

Factors Affecting the Length of Hospital Stay in Patients with Ischemic Stroke Treated by Intravenous Thrombolysis

Background and purpose: Ischemic stroke is one of the most common neurological diseases that leads to disability in many cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the duration of hospitalization in patients with ischemic stroke undergoing thrombolytic therapy. Materials and methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study was performed in consecutive adult patients with ischemic stroke who underwent thrombolytic treatment in Neurology Department of Sari Bu Ali Sina Hospital 2016-2018. Factors associated with duration of hospitalization were investigated. Results: The records of 173 patients (54.9% males) were studied and the mean age of patients was 68.5 ± 12.3 years. During hospitalization, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and other infections were seen in 19.7%, 9.8%, and 1.2%, respectively. Among the patients, 12.7% experienced hemorrhagic complications. Duration of hospitalization was <7 days in 52.6% and ≥7 days in 47.4% of the patients. Length of hospitalization was significantly associated with hyperlipidemia (P=0.005), stroke severity (P=0.02), large vessel stroke (P<0.001), hemorrhagic complications (P=0.004), and nosocomial infections (P<0.001). Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia, stroke severity, complications of thrombolysis, and nosocomial infections affect the length of hospital stay in patients with ischemic stroke who received alteplase. Therefore, appropriate approach is needed in management of these patients to prevent and eliminate the aforementioned factors

Comparative evaluation of hydroxyapatite and nano-bioglass in two forms of conventional micro- and nano-particles in repairing bone defects (an animal study)

Context: Many synthetic bone materials have been introduced for repairing bone defects. Aim: The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) and nano-bioglass bone materials with their traditional micro counterparts in repairing bone defects. Materials and Methods: In this prospective animal study, four healthy dogs were included. First to fourth premolars were extracted in each quadrant and five cavities in each quadrant were created using trephine. Sixteen cavities in each dog were filled by HA, nano-HA, bioglass, and nano-bioglass and four defects were left as the control group. All defects were covered by a nonrestorable membrane. Dogs were sacrificed after 15, 30, 45, and 60 days sequentially. All 20 samples were extracted by trephine #8 with a sufficient amount of surrounding bone. All specimens were investigated under an optical microscope and the percentage of total regenerated bone, lamellar, and woven bone were evaluated. Statistical Analysis Used: Data analysis was carried out by SPSS Software ver. 15 and Mann–Whitney U-test (α =0.05). Results: After 15 days, the bone formation percentage showed a significant difference between HA and nano-HA and between HA and bioglass (P < 0.001). The nano-HA group showed the highest rate of bone formation after 15 days. Nano-bioglass and bioglass and nano-HA and nano-bioglass groups represented a significant difference and nano-bioglass showed the highest rate of bone formation after 30 days (P = 0.01). After 45 days, the bone formation percentage showed a significant difference between nano-bioglass and bioglass and between nano-HA and nano-bioglass groups (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Nano-HA and nano-bioglass biomaterials showed promising results when compared to conventional micro-particles in the repair of bone defects

Comparing the Efficacy of Three Different Nano-scale Bone Substitutes: In vivo Study

Background: Synthetic biocompatible bone substitutions have been used widely for bone tissue regeneration as they are safe and effective. The aim of this animal study is to compare the effectiveness of three different biocompatible bone substitutes, including nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) nano-bioglass (nano-BG) and forstrite scaffolds. Materials and Methods: In this interventional and experimental study, four healthy dogs were anesthetized, and the first to fourth premolars were extracted in each quadrant. After healing, the linear incision on the crestal ridge from molar to anterior segment prepared in each quadrant and 16 defects in each dog were prepared. Nano-HA, nano-BG, and forstrite scaffold was prepared according to the size of defects and placed in the 12 defects randomly, four defects remained as a control group. The dogs were sacrificed in four time intervals (15, 30, 45, and 60 days after) and the percentage of different types of regenerated bones (lamellar and woven) and connective tissue were recorded in histological process. The data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney test (α = 0.05). Results: The difference in nano-HA and nano-BG with the control group was significant in three-time intervals regarding the amount of bone formation (P < 0.01). After 15 days, the nano-HA showed the highest amount of woven and lamellar bone regeneration (18.37 ± 1.06 and 30.44 ± 0.54). Conclusion: Nano-HA and nano-BG groups showed a significant amount of bone regeneration, especially after 30 days, but paying more surveys and observation to these materials as bone substitutes seem to be needed