The Relationship between Multiple Intelligences and Performance of EFL Students in Different Forms of Reading Comprehension Tests

The major aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Multiple Intelligences (MI) scores and the performance of Iranian EFL students on different forms of reading comprehension tests. To this aim, 90 learners of English from Parax Institute of Science and Technology (Mashhad Branch) were selected. They were asked to complete MIDAS multiple intelligences questionnaire and a reading test, which included two tests formats (multiple-choice and cloze test). The result of the correlational study indicated that the total MI score correlated positively with performance on multiple-choice and cloze test. Out of its 8 sub-intelligences linguistic, intrapersonal, spatial, and mathematical intelligence correlated positively with multiple-choice test of reading. Performance on cloze test correlated positively with linguistic, spatial, and mathematical intelligence.  The results of regression equations also showed that MI scores predict both the performance on multiple-choice and cloze test. Out of its sub-intelligences, linguistic intelligence and musical intelligence predict performance on multiple-choice questions and linguistic intelligence predicts performance on cloze test

Response of Sunflower Yield and Phytohormonal Changes to Azotobacter,Azospirillum,Pseudomonas and Animal Manure in a Chemical Free Agroecosystem

There are new trends in agriculture to move toward the low input systems with the lower application of chemical fertilizers. To reach this goal, different methods, such as the application of biofertilizers, may be used. So this experiment was conducted in 2010 at a research farm in Arak, Iran, in factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications and four factors: animal manure (M), Pseudomonas putida (P), Azotobacter chroococcum (A)and Azospirillum lipoferum (Z). Results indicated that manure significantly affected grain yield (P≤0.01); the highest grain yield was achieved in the interaction of manure × Azotobacter × Pseudomonas (4.556 ton/ha). Grain yield was not significantly affected by the microorganisms. Moreover, the four factors of the experiment significantly affected auxin, gibberellin and cytokinin content of plant. Overall, this experiment indicated that desirable yield can be achieved by the application of manure and biofertilizers, in a sustainable agriculture

Conscience Understanding Among Nurses Working at Education Hospital of Arak

Methodology: In the current descriptive study, 193nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Arak Universityof Medical Sciences in 2017 were included in the studyusing random sampling. Data were collected through ademographic questionnaire and a conscience perceptionquestionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 softwareusing descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square test).Results: The mean total score of nursing conscience perceptionwas 68.19 ± 15.12. In addition, the mean dimensionsof moral conscience, guardian conscience, directorconscience, caring conscience, conscience reflection wasobtained 29.7 ± 4.3, 20.5 ± 3.3, 16.8 ± 2.4, 12.6 ± 2.06,and 21.9 ± 2.6, respectively. Moreover, a positive and significantrelationship was found between nursing conscienceand some demographic variables (age and type of hospital).Conclusion: Nurses are considered as the basic componentin the process of improving the quality of services.Therefore, their ethical practice is very helpful in advancingorganizational goals. Nurses with a high ethical consciencecan have many benefits in the work environment.Thus, it is recommended that the educations needed toenhance the knowledge of nurses on identifying the factorsinhibiting or enhancing conscience to be provided fornurses by senior managers

Karakterizacija parametara elastičnosti ploče s orijentiranim makroiverjem (OSB) proizvedene od iverja drva topole (Populus deltoides) uz pomoć ultrazvučnoga kontaktnog prijenosa impulsa

When using wood and wood-based composites, it is necessary to determine the elastic constants of these engineered materials. Oriented strand board (OSB), as structural wood based panel, plays a significant role in the building sector, but the accessibility of such elastic constants of OSB is mostly limited. For this purpose, this study aimed at determining the elastic wave velocity, stiffness and all elastic constants of OSB made from Poplar (Populus deltoides) strands using ultrasonic through–transmission technique. Laboratory OSBs with the mean density of 760 kg/m3 were made with the average strand sizes of 0.6 mm in thickness, 120 mm in length and 30 mm in width. 8 % phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin was used with the pressing conditions of 3.43 N/mm2, 190 °C and 600 s as pressure, temperature and time of pressing, respectively. The OSBs were assumed as an orthotropic model. Three modulus of elasticity (E1, E2, and E3), three shear modulus (G12, G13 and G23), and six Poisson’s ratios (v12, v21, v13, v31, v23, v32) were calculated by longitudinal, transversal and quasi-transversal waves velocities. Ultrasonically determined stiffness coefficients of OSB were investigated by representative volume elements (RVE). Therefore, the separation of scales requirement is satisfied, and the measured velocities can be applied to determine the engineering elastic parameters of the examined OSB. The results indicate that modulus of elasticity and shear modulus are in the same order of magnitude in comparison with other references, and the values of Poisson’s ratios are valid in ultrasonic range measurement. In conclusion, the ultrasonic contact pulse transmission shows great potential to determine the characterization of elastic wave velocity, stiffness and engineering elastic parameters.Za primjenu drva i kompozita na bazi drva iznimno je važno odrediti konstante elastičnosti tih konstrukcijskih materijala. Ploča s orijentiranim makroiverjem (OSB ploča), kao strukturna ploča na bazi drva, ima široku primjenu u građevnom sektoru, a pristup takvim konstantama elastičnosti OSB ploča uglavnom je ograničen. Stoga je cilj ove studije bio odrediti brzinu elastičnog vala, krutost i sve konstante elastičnosti OSB ploča proizvedenih od makroiverja topole (Populus deltoides) primjenom ultrazvučne tehnike. Od iverja prosječne debljine 0,6 mm, duljine 120 mm i širine 30 mm laboratorijski su izrađene OSB ploče srednje gustoće 760 kg/m3. Upotrijebljena je 8 %-tna fenol-formaldehidna (PF) smola u ovim uvjetima prešanja: tlak je bio 3,43 N/mm2, temperatura 190 °C, a proces prešanja trajao je 600 s. Pretpostavljeno je da su OSB ploče ortotropni modeli. Na temelju srednjih vrijednosti uzdužne, poprečne i kvazipoprečne brzine valova izračunana su tri modula elastičnosti (E1, E2 i E3), tri modula smicanja (G12, G13 i G23) i šest Poissonovih omjera v12, v21, v13, v31, v23, v32). Ultrazvučno utvrđene krutosti OSB ploča ispitivane su reprezentativnim volumnim elementima (RVE). Dakle, ispunjen je zahtjev za odvajanje skala, a izmjerene se brzine mogu primijeniti za određivanje inženjerskih parametara elastičnosti ispitivanih OSB ploča. Rezultati pokazuju da su moduli elastičnosti i moduli smicanja istog reda veličine u usporedbi s drugim referencama, a vrijednosti Poissonovih omjera vrijede u mjerenjima ultrazvučnog raspona. Zaključno, ultrazvučni kontaktni prijenos impulsa pokazuje velik potencijal za određivanje brzine elastičnih valova, krutosti i konstrukcijskih parametara elastičnosti materijala

HOW REPRODUCIBLE ARE THE EFFECTS OF A MICROPROCESSOR FOOT?

Abstract INTRODUCTION Using microprocessor-control to dynamically adapt hydraulic ankles, by changing the resistances to dorsiflexion and plantarflexion (DF/PF) movements, has been shown to have beneficial biomechanical effects during slope descent1. Another, more recent case study also showed that the level walking biomechanical effects of microprocessor-feet (MPF) persist, and the same trends can be observed in repeated gait analysis sessions, over a year apart2. This work looks to expand on both of these concepts, analysing repeated gait analysis sessions to see if the biomechanical changes of MPF during slope descent are reproducible over time. Abstract PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/32013/24432 How to cite: McGrath M, Stech N, Laszczak P, Kercher A, Zahedi S, Moser D. HOW REPRODUCIBLE ARE THE EFFECTS OF A MICROPROCESSOR FOOT? CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.3201

Hepatic and Renal Function Tests and Routine Hematological Markers in Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident and Transient Ischemic Attack

Background and Aim: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as stroke, is a vascular syndrome that is the second leading cause of death in the world after ischemic heart disease. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is a warning sign for CVA so that 20% of patients with TIA experience a subsequent stroke within 90 days. Hence, identification of laboratory markers is crucial for the prognosis and diagnosis of patients with CVA and TIA. Changes in some laboratory markers occur in patients with CVA and TIA. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate hepatic and renal function tests and routine hematological markers in patients with CVA and TIA. Methods: The present study was a cross - sectional analytical study. The study population was patients with CVA and TIA who were hospitalized in Abadan and Khorramshahr educational hospitals from March 21, 2019, to March 19, 2020. One hundred patients with CVA and one hundred patients with TIA were randomly selected and the necessary information (age, sex, liver enzymes, renal function tests, FBS, and routing hematologic markers including CBC, ESR, PT and PTT) of the patients was collected from HIS (Hospital Information System) of Abadan and Khorramshahr educational hospitals. Liver, kidney and hematologic diagnostic markers were evaluated by age and gender. Data analysis was performed using a t -test (to compare gender difference of laboratory markers in CVA and TIA groups) and one-way ANOVA (to compare laboratory markers among age groups of patients with CVA and TIA). Simple linear regression was used to examine the relationships between changes in FBS (mg / dl) and changes in laboratory diagnostic factors. Results: The results of this study showed that the highest frequency of patients with CVA (n= 130, 27.3%) and TIA (n= 49, 23.8%) was observed in the age group of 55-64 years. The results indicate that the mean level of some laboratory markers such as FBS (CVA: 174.32 ± 105.83; TIA: 150.32 ± 83.32), creatinine (CVA: 1.37 ± 1.32; 1.42 ± 1.09), LDH (CVA: 696.29 ± 344.90; TIA: 538.17 ± 230.76), and ESR (CVA: 52.41 ± 37.61; TIA: 14.00 ± 8.40) was higher than the normal range in both CVA and TIA. The mean of SGOT (34.10 ± 26.40 IU / L) and ALK (331.44 ± 370.78 IU / L) enzymes were higher than normal only in CVA patients and the mean of SGPT (33.08 ± 38.55 IU / L) was higher than normal only in TIA patients. It was also observed that in patients with CVA, with each unit increase in FBS, a significant increase occurs in K+ level (P < 0.001), WBC (P= 0.003), and RBC (P= 0.031) count, as well as a significant decrease in Na+ level (P= 0.008). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed an increase in the level of FBS, ESR and LDH both in CVA and TIA. While SGOT and ALK increased only in CVA patients, SGPT showed an increase only in TIA patients.   *First Corresponding Author: Esmat Radmanesh; Email: [email protected]; ORCID ID:                                        0000-0003-1369-6580 Second Corresponding Author: Sahar Golabi; Email: [email protected] Please cite this article as:  Monfared A, Fadavipour M, Golabi S, Kamyari N, Zahedi A, Hazbenejad A, Kanani K, Jelvay S, Tajvidi M, Radmanesh E. Hepatic and Renal Function Tests and Routine Hematological Markers in Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident and Transient Ischemic Attack. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2023;9:1-9 (e3). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v9.3925

A Prosthetic Shank With Adaptable Torsion Stiffness and Foot Alignment

Torsion adapters in lower limb prostheses aim to increase comfort, mobility and health of users by allowing rotation in the transversal plane. A preliminary study with two transtibial amputees indicated correlations between torsional stiffness and foot alignment to increase comfort and stability of the user depending on the gait situation and velocity. This paper presents the design and proof-of-concept of an active, bio-inspired prosthetic shank adapter and a novel approach to create a user-specific human-machine interaction through adapting the device’s properties. To provide adequate support, load data and subjective feedback of subjects are recorded and analyzed regarding defined gait situations. The results are merged to an user individual preference-setting matrix to select optimal parameters for each gait situation and velocity. A control strategy is implemented to render the specified desired torsional stiffness and transversal foot alignment values to achieve situation-dependent adaptation based on the input of designed gait detection algorithms. The proposed parallel elastic drive train mimics the functions of bones and muscles in the human shank. It is designed to provide the desired physical human-machine interaction properties along with optimized actuator energy consumption. Following test bench verification, trials with five participants with lower limb amputation at different levels are performed for basic validation. The results suggest improved movement support in turning maneuvers. Subjective user feedback confirmed a noticeable reduction of load at the stump and improved ease of turning

The design, control and testing of an integrated electrohydrostatic powered ankle prosthesis

This paper presents a prototype powered ankle prosthesis that can operate passively in most of the gait cycle and provide powered assistance for toe push-off and subsequent foot dorsiflexion. The use of an electrohydrostatic actuator (EHA) gives the ability to switch quickly and smoothly between passive and active modes. In this new powered ankle prosthesis, the motor-pump unit is integrated with the ankle joint and the battery and controller are held in a backpack. A 100 W brushless dc motor is used to drive a 0.45 cc/rev gear pump, controlling flow to an ankle cylinder through a bespoke manifold. The motor runs wet, pressurized to 6 MPa, avoiding the need for a pump shaft seal and a refeeding circuit for external leakage. A dynamic system model has been develop to help analyze the EHA performance. A motor control method is proposed based on heel strike recognition and a middle stance time delay. The prosthesis has been tested with a 70 kg transtibial amputee, and results are presented for walking on a treadmill at three different speeds (2.8, 3.8, and 4.8 km/h). The amputee has provided positive subjective feedback. We conclude that the hybrid passive-active approach has significant advantages for prosthesis design, and we outline future testing and development requirements.</p

Rethinking the foam cosmesis for people with lower limb absence

Background and Aim: A recent survey of people with lower limb absence revealed that patients' satisfaction with their foam cosmesis is lower than desired. The aim of this project was to improve the lifelike appearance, functionality and durability of the cosmesis through a user-centred design methodology. Technique: Concept development and prototyping led to a new cosmesis design which features a cut-out located at the knee, inserted with an artificial patella made of a more rigid foam. It also features a full - length zip which provides easy access for maintenance. The new cosmesis was then mechanically tested for over 1 million cycles and clinically tested by six transfemoral prosthesis users over 18 patient months. Discussion: The new design is significantly more durable than the current standard model and has an enhanced lifelike appearance. It has potential to improve users’ body image and reduce costs for healthcare providers