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Author(s): Elyas Barabadi [sup.1] , Gholam Hassan Khajavy [sup.1] , James R. Booth [sup.2] , Mohsen Rahmani Tabar [sup.1] , Mohammad Reza Vahdani Asadi [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/05khxfe53, grid.488432.1, [...], The current study mainly aimed at examining the link between perfectionistic cognitions on the one hand and L2 anxiety, willingness to communicate (WTC) and achievement on the other hand. The other purpose of the research was investigating the factor structure of perfectionistic cognitions as proposed by Stoeber et al. (2010 (See CR60)). To this aim, 1,349 Iranian secondary school students completed questionnaires related to L2 anxiety, willingness to communicate, and perfectionistic cognitions. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that perfectionistic cognitions had only two dimensions: personal standards (PS) and concerns over mistakes (COM). As hypothesized, personal standards dimension had a positive correlation to L2 achievement and willingness to communicate and was negatively related to L2 anxiety. Moreover, concern over mistakes was positively related to L2 anxiety. In both cases, anxiety mediated the relationship between perfectionism and outcome variables (i.e., L2 achievement and willingness to communicate). Therefore, although concern over mistakes was not directly related to L2 achievement and willingness to communicate, it was indirectly related to them through L2 anxiety.

This correlational study investigates the relationship between mobile phone use among elementary school students in Iran during the COVID-19 epidemic, and its effect on emotional-behavioural functioning and academic and social competencies. A researcher-devised questionnaire, and the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)-parental version, was used to assess parental perception of the effects of mobile phone use. Questionnaires were completed by 500 parents, of which 470 were analysed. Findings showed a perceived relationship between the use of cyberspace (smartphone, tablet, games, and social networks) and anxious/depressed, withdrawn, somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, antisocial behaviour, and aggressive behaviour in children. Findings indicate that children's cultural context affects their exposure to online dangers, including receiving threatening images and messages, and cyberbullying; the effects in the current study being lower than the international average. It is recommended that there should be focus on promoting students' media literacy, and parental awareness.

The founders of the modern criminal justice system in Iran initiated a transition from the traditional to the modern system by drawing inspiration from the criminal justice systems of developed countries. However, this process of change has consistently faced numerous challenges, and in some cases, the adoption of foreign models has been relatively unsuccessful. The adoption of the jury trial institution in English law is one such unsuccessful experience. This article, based on a scientific and systematic approach using the multiple streams theory, seeks to explain the reasons for this failure. The theory focuses on the changes in public policies and aims to identify the influential variables in this area. According to this theory, to develop a new policy, an undesirable situation, referred to as a "problem", must first be identified. This issue is heavily influenced by the values dominant in a society. After identifying a problem, multiple solutions are proposed, but only a solution that meets criteria such as feasibility, practicality, and normative acceptability remains as the answer to the problem. This article demonstrates, through the application of the aforementioned theory, that although the jury trial institution is a successful and effective institution in common law jurisdictions, it has not gained popularity in Iran. The reason for this failure should be sought in the lack of relevance of the jury trial institution to the Iranian context and its conflict with the public values and the values of the Islamic judicial system, which is judge-oriented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Some people expect that the quality of teaching and learning will be improved by using technology, while empirical evidence has proven the opposite. But education is too complicated to improve its quality simply by employing new technologies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the barriers to the use of ICT in primary school in North Khorasan province in early 2021 academic years. Methods: To do so, we used a mixed method. In the qualitative part of the study, interview questions were identified using scientific resources and focal group. Then, 14 primary teachers and experts, who had experience of working in a school with minimal ICT equipment were selected using purposeful sampling. The exclusion criterion was the subjects' unwillingness to continue cooperation. The qualitative data were analyzed using Colaizzi method. Based on qualitative findings, a researcher-made questionnaire with 22 items and 6 subscales was developed. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was obtained from 0.61 to 0.92 for its various parts. To ensure the accuracy of the questionnaire, we performed exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis on the questionnaire. In the quantitative part of the study, the sample was randomly selected according to the size and access to technology in the classroom. Results: Quantitative analyses revealed that there was a negative association (r=-0.182; P=0.021) between the teaching-learning quality and the use of emerging technology. Regression test showed that the most important barrier to the ICT use in school was "Equipment and infrastructure" (β=-0.256; P<0.001) and then the "Budget and monetary resources" (β=-0.148; P=0.053), "Teachers' self-confidence" (β=-0.119; P=0.137), and "Teachers' knowledge and skill" (β=-0.058; P=0.473). Conclusion: The quality of teaching and learning is not improved by the mere presence of ICT equipment. Based on the findings of the current study, if the managers intend to remove the obstacles related to the integration of ICT in education, they have to provide sufficient "Equipment and infrastructure" and "Budget and monetary resources", and plan for improving "Teachers' selfconfidence" and "Teachers' knowledge and skill". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The α4β2 nAChRs are crucial ion channels that control neurotransmitter release and play a role in various physiologic and pathologic processes. CHRNA4 encodes the α4-nAChRs, while CHRNB2 encodes the β2-nAChRs. Recent studies have found different variants of α4β2-nAChRs in individuals with conditions such as AD, ADHD, ALS, PD, and brain abnormalities. We conducted a scoping review following a six-stage methodology structure and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. We systematically reviewed articles using relevant keywords up to October 2, 2023. In this summary, we cover the clinical symptoms reported, the genes and protein structure of CHRNA4 and CHRNB2, mutations in these genes, inheritance patterns, the functional impact of mutations and polymorphisms in CHRNA4 and CHRNB2, and the epidemiology of these diseases. Recent research indicates that nAChRs may play a significant role in neurodegenerative disorders, possibly impacting neuronal function through yet undiscovered regulatory pathways. Studying how nAChRs interact with disease-related aggregates in neurodegenerative conditions may lead to new treatment options for these disorders., (© 2024 International Society for Neurochemistry.)

Background: The long-term effects of aerobic exercise on the cardiorespiratory system have been studied extensively. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise with and without external loads on blood glucose, cardiovascular, respiratory, and body temperature indices in patients with type II diabetes., Methods: The present randomized control trial recruited participants from the Diabetes Center of Hamadan University through advertisement. Thirty individuals were selected and divided into an aerobic exercise group and a weighted vest group via block randomization. The intervention protocol included aerobic exercise on the treadmill (0 slopes) with an intensity of 50% to 70% of the maximum heart rate. The exercise program for the weighted vest group was identical to that of the aerobic group, except that the subjects wore a weighted vest., Results: The mean age of the study population was 46.77±5.11 years in the aerobic group and 48±5.95 years in the weighted vest group. After the intervention, blood glucose in the aerobic group (167.07±72.48 mg/dL; P<0.001) and the weighted vest group (167.75±61.53 mg/dL; P<0.001) was decreased. Additionally, resting heart rate (aerobic: 96.83±11.86 bpm and vest: 94.92±13.65 bpm) and body temperature (aerobic: 36.20±0.83 °C and vest: 35.48±0.46 °C) were increased (P<0.001). Decreased systolic (aerobic: 117.92±19.27 mmHg and vest: 120.91±12.04 mmHg) and diastolic (aerobic: 77.38±7.54 mmHg and vest: 82.5±11.32 mmHg) blood pressure and increased respiration rate (aerobic: 23.07±5.45 breath/min and vest: 22±3.19 breath/min) were seen in both groups but were not statistically significant., Conclusion: One aerobic exercise session with and without external loads reduced blood glucose levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in our 2 study groups., (Copyright © 2023 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)