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Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
Sound substitution is a process whereby a phoneme in a loanword is replaced by its closest phone in the borrowing language. Many English loanwords with consonants /T/, /w/, /k/ and /g/ have been adapted by Persian. None of these consonants exist as a phoneme in Persian. The pronunciation or substitution of these consonants by their closest phone in Persian depends on the phonological environment; the dental /T/ is replaced by [t] and [s] respectively in the onset and coda. The bilabial /w/ is replaced by [v] in the onset. However, since [w] is only used as an intervocalic consonant in Persian, it acts like an intervocalic consonant upon the declusterization of word initial /sw/. Therefore, it is not usually replaced by any consonant in this environment. Finally, the velar consonants /k/ and /g/ either change to palatal [c] and [] respectively or do not change at all, due to the phonological environment. This research aimed at explaining each of these sound substitution processes within the framework of optimality theory (Prince and Smolensky, 1993/2004). It presents arguments in favor of constraint rankings which cause the occurances of these processes.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
Critical Thinking (CT) which has been defined as the employment of cognitive skills or strategies for obtaining sound conclusions (Halpern, 2013) has been the subject of different Second Language (L2) studies at national and international levels. The aim of the present study was to provide a meta-analysis on the (quasi) experimental studies of critical thinking in second language education in Iran. To this end, from a total of 168 studies published between 2011 and 2020, 24 studies were selected based on the inclusion-exclusion criteria. The included studies were coded to calculate the mean effect size of the studies. The results show that 1) L2 teaching was positively effective for the CT development in Iran; 2) the most beneficial aspects of L2 teaching on CT promotion were related to teaching L2 speaking and L2 rhetorical strategies; 3) concerning L2 proficiency level, L2 instruction was most advantageous for advanced students’ CT developments; 4) regarding the age groups, L2 teaching contributed the most growth in CT levels for learners in the age group of 10-14 years, and 5) L2 teaching was most effective for the undergraduate students compared to other educational levels. The findings can be beneficial for pursuing the next moves in L2 research, education, and planning educational policies in Iran.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
Grammarly software is one of the most popular software for automatic recognition of grammatical errors in texts translated from Persian to English. The study aims to evaluate the efficiency of Grammarly and propose some suggestions for upgrading the software. To achieve this, a corpus including the English translation of the booklets introducing the works of Resistance-literature was studied. After the grammatical errors were extracted by the researchers (human evaluator), the electronic file of the booklets was provided to the software to detect the errors by Grammarly. Grammatical errors were then categorized and the extracted data were matched by researchers and software. After the qualitative and quantitative analysis of errors and the presentation of the findings, suggestions were made to improve the efficiency of Grammarly. According to the findings, out of 98 cases being specified by Grammarly as errors, 16 of them were not actually errors. In 4 cases (4.9%) Grammarly failed to accurately identify the "type" of error. The weakest grammatical performance of the software occurred in the misdiagnosis of ‘word spelling’ and ‘misuse of masculine and feminine pronouns’. Regarding the efficiency of Grammarly, it was found that the software has an excellent performance with a diagnosis of 82.8% of errors.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
The positive role of reflective teaching and well-being as means of fostering teaching quality has mainly remained at the level of speculation and there is little empirical evidence to illustrate their impact on enhancing professional development. To fill this existing gap, this study examines the contribution of reflection and psychological well-being as predictors of professional development. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, 350 English language teachers were selected randomly and participated in a survey. Following that, six teachers through purposeful sampling participated in a focus group interview to investigate the relationship among the aforementioned variables. The correlational analysis confirmed the positive relationship among these three constructs and a structural equation modeling indicated that both reflection and well-being significantly predicted professional development; however, well-being was a stronger predictor compared to reflection. The qualitative analysis of data revealed four main themes contributing to professional development among teachers. The pedagogical implications are also elaborated and discussed.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
The efficient and systematic design of language education programs through deploying instructional strategies and techniques and with the knowledge of learners’ cognitive make-up and their environment helps develop increasingly effective and capable language learners. Effective instruction begins with effective educational design which involves a wide range of practices, the most important of which is informed and structured material development. In line with these, the present study was carried out to analyze exercises in Arabic textbooks for public junior high schools in Iran based on Nation and McAllister’s (2010) principles of format and presentation of learning materials and activities. The research employed a descriptive design using qualitative content analysis and to achieve more valid and reliable results, Shannon’s entropy for weighting codes and statistical tests of homogeneity of variance, univariate analysis, and Kruskal-Wallis were used. The population and the statistical sample of activities considered in the study were the same and included all the exercises in the selected Arabic textbooks for the 1401-1402 AH / 2022-2023 academic year. Content analysis was done following a researcher-made scheme based on the layers proposed in Nation and McAllister’s (2010) principles, i.e., meaning-oriented input, form-oriented input, meaning-oriented output, and form-oriented output. The validity of the scheme was verified through expert opinion and its reliability was calculated using Pearson correlation. The results of the research showed that in these textbooks, there is no four-way balance in the activities and no harmony between the expected four types of activities on form, meaning, input, and output.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted for Publication 2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
Achieving sustained and long-term economic growth necessitates the optimal allocation and utilization of resources at the national level. This goal relies heavily on the existence of efficient financial markets, particularly well-functioning and extensive capital markets. Numerous macroeconomic variables can influence the level of risk associated with shareholder rights, corporate cash flows, and adjusted discount rates. Additionally, changes in economic conditions can alter both the quantity and nature of investment opportunities.
However, establishing a fixed and consistent relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock price indices remains challenging. The complex and dynamic nature of financial markets makes it difficult to identify a method that accurately reflects economic conditions and captures the most critical influencing variables. Therefore, this study employs machine learning models to identify the key macroeconomic factors affecting stock price indices.
Methodology
Feature selection is one of the most common and crucial techniques in data preprocessing and serves as an essential component of machine learning. This study employs feature selection models to identify the most relevant predictors of the stock price index. The models utilized include the random forest method and regularized linear regression. To examine the nature of the relationships between variables, the jointness method was applied. Additionally, the mutual information analysis was conducted to assess the influence of key variables over different decades, enabling a deeper understanding of how the impact of macroeconomic factors on stock prices has evolved over time.
Findings
The study analyzed the impact of selected macroeconomic variables on stock price indices, focusing on the Tehran Stock Exchange. The findings from the Random Forest (RF) and Regularized Linear Regression (RLR) models indicate that exchange rates, financial development, inflation, economic growth, trade openness, and global uncertainty significantly influence Iran’s stock price index. The results demonstrate that global uncertainty, interest rates, and trade openness exert negative effects on stock prices, whereas the other variables positively influence stock prices.
The jointness method was employed to analyze the relationships between these variables, further confirming their significance. Moreover, the Mutual Information method was used to examine how the influence of these key variables varied across different decades.
Discussion and Conclusion
Among the variables examined, exchange rates, financial development, inflation, economic growth, trade openness, and global uncertainty emerged as the most significant factors influencing Iran’s stock price index. This finding is not surprising, given Iran’s historical experience with significant exchange rate fluctuations and persistent inflationary pressures. Global uncertainty has consistently influenced domestic markets in Iran due to political and economic instability. Previous research has highlighted the complex relationship between exchange rate fluctuations and stock price indices (Ratanapakorn & Sharma, 2007). Scholars have argued that the relationship between stock prices and exchange rates can significantly affect monetary and fiscal policy, as a recessionary stock market can reduce overall demand and impact broader economic performance.
Extensive research has also investigated the relationship between inflation and stock prices, identifying inflation as a significant factor affecting stock indices
(Boudoukh & Richardson, 1993; Fama & Schwert, 1977; Jaffe & Mandelker, 1976) . While some studies have reported a positive correlation between inflation and stock prices, others have found a negative relationship.
Moreover, trade openness has been recognized as a key factor influencing stock market fluctuations. Open economies are more vulnerable to external shocks due to increased global risk-sharing among markets. Although some studies have not found conclusive evidence of a direct effect between trade openness and stock prices, trade openness remains one of the influential factors (Nickmansh, 2016).
Stock prices reflect the present value of future cash flows, which are subject to two main effects: cash flow changes driven by increased production and interest rates, which serve as a discount factor. Stock prices tend to decline when expected cash flows decrease or interest rates rise. The level of actual economic activity directly influences cash flows, as higher economic activity generally leads to increased cash flow. Among the various indicators used to predict commodity markets, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is considered the most comprehensive measure of economic activity (Yuhasin, 2011; Christopher et al., 2006).
mouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_1')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_1','_com_1')">Finally, global uncertainty plays a significant role in shaping the internal economic environment of countries, making it an important global macroeconomic variable that influences the performance of publicly traded companies on the stock exchange.
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Volume 1, Issue 1 (4-2013)
Abstract
Comparative literature is a branch of literature that considers the literary relation and influences of the countries. Scholar of comparative literature sits between two or more branches and records the literary-cultural transfers. This article is an attempt to study the cultural and story similarities between two the literary works; an Iranian and a French. "Leili o Majnoun", Nezami’s literary work and "Cyrano de Bergerac", Rostand’s piece have commons aspects about the content and the personality of their heroes; platonic love is the most important element in these literary works. Among the other similarities, we can represent the reality of their stories and the common literary structure. In spite of the similarities, we should consider the differences of the heroes in their manner of love-affair. An innocent love is another common point between these masterpieces, which finished with the death of heroes, Majnoun and Cyrano. In this article, we try to expand these similarities and the differences with a comparative consideration in order to conquer a new horizon.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (4-2013)
Abstract
Gothic terminology (vocabulary) is an adjective, which implies a thing that is related to “Got”.
Gothic also is the name of a genre, which has been created from the 1760s to 1820s and correlated with the readers¢ uncommon imagination, dreams, nightmares & inner thaughts. Usually milieu of this genre is closed castle, ruins and dierelict lands. Gothic literature should be numerated as a branch of rheumatism or pre- rheumatism school. Gothic tales usually are dim stories of enigmas, apprehensions and extraordinary matters, which are formed around a hidden & trightfull mystery. Apprehension, frighty & deeth are three important elements of them.
Indeed, Gothic was an architectural & sculpture style about Goth tribe that, in addition to the art of architecture, has entered into the story literature. Nowadays, Gothic literature is an important part in the word literature, which we can not understand the modern literature without understanding it. The present research tries to survay the elements, structure and content of Gothic stories through descriptive-analytic way and with the use of library sources.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (Winter 2018)
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, Tehran is the most important challenge of political management of space in Iran due to the accumulation of problems in natural and human dimensions. The most important dimensions of this challenge are population density and the lack of coordinated management to overcome this problem and its consequences. Since one cannot consider Tehran separated from far and near hinterland, the first issue is the lack of spatial/geographical justice in these hinterlands. Tehran's problems can be analyzed in three levels: physical-residential, regional, and national. This descriptive-analytical research was carried out based on library resources with the aim of analyzing spatial justice in Iran and organizing political space in Tehran.
Conclusion: The lack of spatial planning and sustainable development approach on the national, regional, and local scale in the Iranian planning system has, above all, resulted in intense centralization, institutionalized, and has led to the formation of the center of the periphery pattern in the country. The performance of development programs, before and after the revolution, has led to the imbalance of the governing pattern of the spatial structure of the country. Also, the spatial/geographical injustice in the country and consequently in Tehran province, as well as the lack of integrated management in Tehran's urban management have caused Tehran's current problems. In order to solve the problems of Tehran and its optimal administration, it should be planned based on the available resources with the fair spatial planning approach to space and in the framework of the spatial planning strategy, using the space justice in three short, medium, and long periods, in order to provide the optimal administration of Tehran.
Volume 1, Issue 2 ((Articles in Persian) 2010)
Abstract
Volume 1, Issue 2 (Spring 2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Spatial planning is a set of measures to organize the distribution of human and activities carried out in the geographical space. Each area should enjoy a range of economic and social activities based on its capabilities, needs, and situation. Spatial planning is the basis of organizing regional development and it is the main instrument for regional and national planning and policy making; it provides the basis for the preparation of socio-economic development plans for each area or country. Since for the fulfillment of development objectives all social resources, including human, economic, spatial, and environmental resources should be used and making use of all these elements needs planning, spatial planning is the basis of comprehensive development plans and projects and connects spatial, social, and economic planning, or as a whole in the form of comprehensive planning, in regional and national scale. Border areas have special characteristics due to their contacts with the external environments. The cross-border exchanges and spatial connections between the adjacent countries as well as the various vulnerabilities and threats posed by this issue necessitate special care to the process of development planning in these areas. The aim of the present research was to investigate the employed strategies for spatial plannig in brder areas in Five-Year economic, social, and cultural development plans of Islamic Republic of Iran (1st to 5th Plan).
Conclusion: In general, and especially in the 3rd and 4th plans, the economic strategy is more important. Also, spatial differences have not been considered in 5-year development plans; strategies ignored the differences in the various border areas of the country and looked at all areas in the same way. In addition, a special type of strategy is focused in each plan.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (Spring 2021)
Abstract
The notion of the characteristics of an ignoble human being in Gabriel Marcel's thought revolves around components such as establishing an "I - s/he" relationship with others, unpreparedness and unopenness in relations with others, and presence in the realm of "having." To that end, it will become clear that by establishing an "I-you" relationship, being present to other human beings in the realm of "being" becomes noble, but by examining Marcel's ideas it became clear that the dominance of science and technology over human beings paved the way for the formation of a mass society and further, it intensifies the functional view of human, and as a result all these factors, increases the intensity and speed of ignobility of contemporary mankind. In this study, which aimed to explain the factors of nobelity and ignobility from Gabriel Marcel's point of view, it became clear that he believes to emerge from unoriginality. a human being should be able to freely choose, to accept responsibility, to communicate with the secret and to have characteristics such as love, loyalty, faith and hope.
Volume 1, Issue 4 (12-2013)
Abstract
There are a number of ideas to generate cloud and precipitation in the southern coasts of Caspian Sea, but none of them explain the cause of precipitation particularly heavy and super heavy precipitations precisely. This study describes main thermodynamic factors when the situation and location of synoptic patterns are effective. On the basis of daily data, monthly regimes and monthly trends of the Sea Surface Temperature (SST), difference between 2m air temperature and SST over the Caspian Sea as well as the SST gradients in different distances on latitude and its anomaly were calculated. For recognition of synoptic conditions, humidity advection, geopotential and sea level pressure maps were drawn. The results showed that there are three thermodynamic factors over the Caspian Sea to produce precipitation particularly from September to December. The first factor is arrangement and well organized of the SST gradients as it decreases from the south to the north of Caspian Sea. Also, the SST over the Sea must be enough warm to produce clouds and precipitation. The last factor is the difference between 2m air temperature and SST. When the synoptic patterns in different pressure levels are suitable for instability, the air-sea interaction process is the most important factor to produce the advection humidity, clouds and precipitation particularly heavier precipitation events in the north of Iran.
Volume 1, Issue 4 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of simultaneous eight-week stretching and strengthening trainings and exercises with core stability exercises on the flat foot deformity of female students with the age ranges from 9 to 13 years.
Methods and Materials: In the present Quasi-experimental study on 130 female students, 60 girls with flat feet and the age ranges from 9 to 13, were selected randomly and divided into two experimental groups (n = 20 in each group) and one control group (n = 20). The samples were selected using Navi loss, and then Staheliarch index was evaluated. The experimental groups received the treatment (one group received stretching and strengthening exercises and the other group received core stability exercises for 45 minutes, three times a week) for 8 weeks, but the control group received no treatment and was engaged in daily routine activities. The data were analyzed through analysis of independent samples t-test at the significance level of P ≤.05.
Results: Post-test of arch corrective exercises revealed a significant difference among the three groups so that the subjects of both the experimental groups, compared to the control group, had a significant decrease in the angle of the back nut side while the difference between the two experimental groups was not statistically significant (P < .001). Also, in the second experimental group, exercises influence on the arch more than that of the first experimental group (P < .001).
Conclusions: It seems that the eight-week correction training program with emphasis on compound exercises (core stability) as a non-invasive method had a good effect in the treatment of the female students suffering from flat foot deformity with the age ranges from 9 to 13 years.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (9-2011)
Abstract
Lipase is used in the production of detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flavour enhancers and foods. The lipase of yeast Yarrowia lipolytica can be used for production of important class of chemical intermediates in the pharmaceutical industry. Lipase production depends on media composition and environmental conditions. Y. lipolytica DSM 3286 strain was cultured on media containing different organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. Lipase production was investigated by measuring biomass and lipase activity was detected by ρ-nitrophenyl laurate (PNPL) spectrophotometric assay method at various times within a period of 7 days. In this study, the effect of different nitrogen sources was investigated on Y. lipolytica DSM 3286 lipase production. The maximal lipase production (34.7 U/ml after 48 h) was detected in medium containing yeast extract as nitrogen source. The optimum temperature and pH of the enzyme activity were 37 °C and 7, respectively. The final goal of this study is to develop and optimize lipase production by Y. lipolytica for use in pharmaceutical industry.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (9-2011)
Abstract
Citric acid is one of the industrial products with extensive applications which are used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and chemical industries. Although to 1965 Aspergillus niger was single strain to production of citric acid but yeasts are good candidate for citric acid production because growth on cheap and disposal substrates such as hydrocarbon and oils, low sensitive to trace elements in raw material.
In this study, citric acid producing yeasts were isolated. Among 340 isolated yeast strains from dairy, meat and food products from Isfahan factories on screening media. 12 strains cultivated in citric acid production medium have been chosen for further study. Production of citric acid was determined by colorimetric method and Megazyme kit during 192 hours. One of the isolated yeasts with 55.5 g/g citric acid production along 144 hours after inoculation had the best yield. Biochemical and molecular tests showed that this strain belonged to the species Yarrowia lipolytica, molecular tests confirmed by sequencing; therefore it was named as Y. lipolytica M7 with accession number HM011048 in Genbank..
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-2014)
Abstract
Epic is the oldest type of literary that its form is similar to story, because epic, like a story, has three parts: beginning part, middle part & ending part. Epic is descended from myth. It also encompasses story and novel inside. This paper tries to achieve better understanding about a part of epical literature, which reflects on epical tents and enjoys narrative features and symbol language. Description and specification of narrative structure of pictorial and basically language epic through Mick Ball’s theory is the purpose of this writing. Rostam and Esfandiyar story is chosen because this paper tries to show features of narrative tents in literary form. Then these features are studied based on Mick Ball’s, theory to show Ferdosy’s, s tendency toward story waiting elements & structure of narrative tents. This paper shows that epical story (both pictorial and basically language) like other types of basically language stories, has story line (beginning, story progression toward Elman, problem solving and final result).
Volume 2, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMD) are a common health related problem throughout the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrotherapy training on health, function, motion, and occupational performance of the police personnel in Iran.
In this before/after prospective study, 30 participants were selected purposefully and divided into two experimental (n = 15) and control groups randomly (n = 15). The 8-week hydrotherapy training program was just assigned for intervention. The occupational performance and physical fitness tests, Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaire and Visual analog Scale (VAS) were measured for both groups before and after intervention. data were analyzed through SPSS 16
Volume 2, Issue 2 (Summer 2014)
Abstract
Throughout the history, women writers, regardless of geographical, historical and cultural variations, have always been faced with the same concerns and challenges. Women's literature depicts a world based on the masculine priorities and logic concerns. So, due to disturbing laws written by men, women writers have tried to use "feminine aesthetic" and find a proper language to express their concerns and aspirations. In this way, they were capable to represent a clear picture of the woman as it should be.
In Iranian and Italian contemporary literature, many women authors have created works based on women's issues. Among these works, we can mention the works of Zoya Pirzad and Alba Deses Pedes who narrate, in a specific manner, the same story about women's challenges and concerns. This paper applies "Theory of the Gynesis in Women Writing" to these two novels formed in two different geographical and cultural origins, and aims to answer the question of how the common characteristics of feminine writing engender fundamental similarities in plot, narrative and characterization? What we can say with certainty is that the characteristics and common factors in both text and meta-text of these two feminine writings engender a realistic and measured image of "women situation" in these two societies
Volume 2, Issue 2 (Summer 2018)
Abstract
In this study, three different size (100-300-500 µm) of the rubber powder (waste tire) were used in the formulation of epoxy- phenolic adhesive. Rubber powder was modified with grafting method by acrylamide monomer. In order to prevent any loss in properties such as modulus and strength of the adhesive, which is due to the addition of rubber powder to the adhesive, the micro particles of silica were used in formulation of epoxy- phenolic adhesive. The experiment was designed by Taguchi method, and in the experiment, the effect of the composition of rubber powder, size of rubber powder, composition of silica filler and phenolic resin on mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy adhesives were investigated. To study the mechanical properties of adhesives and adhesion properties, dumbbell-shaped specimens and single edge lap bonds that have been made of metal (stainless steel) to composite (epoxy resin / carbon fiber) were prepared and subjected to tensile test. Thermal stability and interfacial interaction between epoxy and filler in adhesive formulation were explored by thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, respectively. Tensile test results showed that for lap- joint bonding with the addition of each factor in its optimal level into epoxy adhesive, strength, modulus and toughness increase by 7.5%, 27.56% and 114% respectively in comparison with the samples bonded with the neat epoxy adhesive. A significant increase was obtained in thermal stability for formulated adhesive samples compared with neat epoxy adhesive.
