Emergency Remote Teaching: A Temporary Solution to a Permanent Problem

Zohreh Nafissi,Morvarid Saeedi 아시아테플 2023 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.20 No.3

Considering the COVID-19 crisis and the sudden shift from face-to-face classes to online ones, universities had to initiate a new phase of educating learners using online platforms, known as ERT (Emergency Remote Teaching). This study aims to uncover the challenges EFL instructors, their learners, and university administrations encountered during ERT through conducting a qualitative case study. Accordingly, twentytwo learners, six instructors, and two administrative staff members who faced difficulties with online instruction during ERT at Alzahra University participated in this research by invitation. The participants were semi-structurally interviewed through social networking platforms (WhatsApp and Telegram) as well as telephone conversations. Subsequently, the collected data were manually coded and subjected to thematic analysis. The study's findings revealed that the inadequate infrastructure of the university, the lack of technical knowledge among learners and professors, unsuitable online materials, absence of training workshops, evaluation challenges, inadequacies of Adobe Connect (the chosen video conferencing platform for Alzahra University's online classes), lack of interaction among learners, overcrowded heterogeneous classes, suboptimal learning environments, and internet connectivity issues were the most significant challenges faced by language learners and instructors during ERT. Additionally, the study identified that the primary challenge for the online department authorities during ERT was addressing instructors' and learners’ problems throughout the semester and conducting online exams at the conclusion of the course.

A Straightforward Estimation Approach for Determining Parasitic Capacitance of Inductors during High Frequency Operation

Kanzi, Khalil,Nafissi, Hanidreza R.,Kanzi, Majid Journal of International Conference on Electrical 2014 Journal of international Conference on Electrical Vol.3 No.3

A straightforward method for optimal determining of a high frequency inductor's parasitic capacitance is presented. The proposed estimation method is based on measuring the inductor's impedance samples over a limited frequency range bordering on the resonance point considering k-dB deviation from the maximum impedance. An optimized solution to k could be obtained by minimizing the root mean squared error between the measured and the estimated impedance values. The model used to provide the estimations is a parallel RLC circuit valid at resonance frequency which will be transferred to the real model considering the mentioned interval of frequencies. A straightforward algorithm is suggested and programmed using MATLAB which does not require a wide knowledge of design parameters and could be implemented using a spectrum analyzer. The inputs are the measured impedance samples as a function of frequency along with the diameter of the conductors. The suggested algorithm practically provides the estimated parameters of a real inductance model at different frequencies, with or without design information. The suggested work is different from designing a high frequency inductor; it is rather concentration of determining the parameters of an available real inductor that could be easily done by a recipe provided to a technician.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Iranian Patients

Nasibeh Amirzagar,Shahriar Nafissi,Abbas Tafakhori,Amirhossein Modabbernia,Aliakbar Amirzargar,Majid Ghaffarpour,Bahaddin Siroos,Mohammad Hossein Harirchian 대한신경과학회 2015 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.11 No.2

Background and Purpose Te aim of this study was to determine the efcacy and tolerability of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in subjects with amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS). Methods Forty subjects with ALS were randomly assigned to two groups, which received either subcutaneous G-CSF (5 μg/kg/q12h) or placebo for 5 days. Te subjects were then followed up for 3 months using the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), manualmuscle testing, ALS Assessment Questionnaire-40, and nerve conduction studies. CD34+/CD133+ cell count and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were evaluated atbaseline. Results Te rate of disease progression did not difer signifcantly between the two groups. Te reduction in ALSFRS-R scores was greater in female subjects in the G-CSF group than intheir counterparts in the placebo group. Tere was a trend toward a positive correlation between baseline CSF MCP-1 levels and the change in ALSFRS-R scores in both groups (Spearman’s ρ=0.370, p=0.070). Conclusions With the protocol implemented in this study, G-CSF is not a promising optionfor the treatment of ALS. Furthermore, it may accelerate disease progression in females.

VPI Varnishing Technology Effects on Frequency Characteristics of an Air Core Inductor Used in LISN Circuit Application

Kanzi, Khalil,Kanzi, Majid,Nafissi, Hamidreza Journal of International Conference on Electrical 2013 Journal of international Conference on Electrical Vol.2 No.1

The functional characteristic of LISN circuit, which is used for measurements of conductive noise in mains power line, is basically related to frequency characteristics of passive elements like inductors used in the circuit as well as the frequency response of inductors is highly related to the resins used in the varnishing process. The significant problem in determination of an inductor's frequency characteristic is the intrinsic resistance, inductance and parasitic capacitance. In this triplet, the parasitic capacitance is the major limiting factor of inductor's frequency range. This capacitance depends on inductor design parameters and materials filling the spaces of coil like resin and its coherency after curing process. In this paper, two similar inductors were designed and built. The first inductor was not varnished while the second one was varnished with VPI technology. VPI, or Vacuum, Pressure, Impregnation technology is one of the most reliable methods performing good insulating conditions for electrical circuits and windings based on resins. The measured results show that implying varnishing technology does not significantly affect the frequency response. However, due to mechanical solidity aspects and improved environmental protection, it is better to varnish the inductors.

The tissue expression of MCT3, MCT8, and MCT9 genes in women with breast cancer

Sohrabi Ehsan,Moslemi Masoumeh,Rezaie Ehsan,Nafissi Nahid,Khaledi Mansoor,Afkhami Hamed,Fathi Javad,Zekri Ali 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.9

Background Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignancy with a high mortality rate. Malignant cell transformation is associated with metabolic changes. One group of proteins that are afected is the monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs-SLC16A). The MCTs comprise 14 members, and they play an important role in the growth, proliferation, and metabolism of cancer cells by transporting monocarboxylates such as lactate, pyruvate and thyroid hormones. Objective We aimed to evaluate the expression of MCT3 (SLC16A8), MCT8 (SLC16A2) and MCT9 (SLC16A9) genes in breast cancer samples, comparing to normal adjacent tissues. Methods Forty paired breast cancer tumor samples, the adjacent non-tumor and fve healthy tissues were collected. Three cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3) were also analyzed. The expression of SLC16A8, SLC16A2 and SLC16A9 were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. The relationship between gene expression with the pathological features of the tumors, and the hormone receptors status of the patient’s tumors were also analyzed. Results There was a signifcantly lower expression of the MCT3 gene in tumor samples compared to adjacent normal tissue and healthy samples (p value<0.05). There was a signifcant diference in the expression of all three candidate genes between the BC tissues and normal tissues, and for the, tissues with diferent hormone receptor status and the molecular subtypes. Altered MCT8 and MCT9 gene expression was associated with a reduced survival Conclusion MCT3 expression is signifcantly downregulated in breast cancer tissue. MCT3 may represent a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer patients, or in some hormone receptor subgroups.

Application of a Non-Mixture Cure Rate Model for Analyzing Survival of Patients with Breast Cancer

Baghestani, Ahmad Reza,Moghaddam, Sahar Saeedi,Majd, Hamid Alavi,Akbari, Mohammad Esmaeil,Nafissi, Nahid,Gohari, Kimiya Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.16

Background: As a result of significant progress made in treatment of many types of cancers during the last few decades, there have been an increased number of patients who do not experience mortality. We refer to these observations as cure or immune and models for survival data which include cure fraction are known as cure rate models or long-term survival models. Materials and Methods: In this study we used the data collected from 438 female patients with breast cancer registered in the Cancer Research Center in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The patients had been diagnosed from 1992 to 2012 and were followed up until October 2014. We had to exclude some because of incomplete information. Phone calls were made to confirm whether the patients were still alive or not. Deaths due to breast cancer were regarded as failure. To identify clinical, pathological, and biological characteristics of patients that might have had an effect on survival of the patients we used a non-mixture cure rate model; in addition, a Weibull distribution was proposed for the survival time. Analyses were performed using STATA version 14. The significance level was set at $P{\leq}0.05$. Results: A total of 75 patients (17.1%) died due to breast cancer during the study, up to the last follow-up. Numbers of metastatic lymph nodes and histologic grade were significant factors. The cure fraction was estimated to be 58%. Conclusions: When a cure fraction is not available, the analysis will be changed to standard approaches of survival analysis; however when the data indicate that the cure fraction is available, we suggest analysis of survival data via cure models.

Survival Analysis of Patients with Breast Cancer using Weibull Parametric Model

Baghestani, Ahmad Reza,Moghaddam, Sahar Saeedi,Majd, Hamid Alavi,Akbari, Mohammad Esmaeil,Nafissi, Nahid,Gohari, Kimiya Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background: The Cox model is known as one of the most frequently-used methods for analyzing survival data. However, in some situations parametric methods may provide better estimates. In this study, a Weibull parametric model was employed to assess possible prognostic factors that may affect the survival of patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We studied 438 patients with breast cancer who visited and were treated at the Cancer Research Center in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences during 1992 to 2012; the patients were followed up until October 2014. Patients or family members were contacted via telephone calls to confirm whether they were still alive. Clinical, pathological, and biological variables as potential prognostic factors were entered in univariate and multivariate analyses. The log-rank test and the Weibull parametric model with a forward approach, respectively, were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. All analyses were performed using STATA version 11. A P-value lower than 0.05 was defined as significant. Results: On univariate analysis, age at diagnosis, level of education, type of surgery, lymph node status, tumor size, stage, histologic grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and lymphovascular invasion had a statistically significant effect on survival time. On multivariate analysis, lymph node status, stage, histologic grade, and lymphovascular invasion were statistically significant. The one-year overall survival rate was 98%. Conclusions: Based on these data and using Weibull parametric model with a forward approach, we found out that patients with lymphovascular invasion were at 2.13 times greater risk of death due to breast cancer.