The role of hemostatic system and the importance of blood coagulation in COVID-19: a review study

Background and Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disorder that can affect many body systems, including the hemostatic system. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of hemostatic system and the blood coagulation in COVID-19. Methods & Materials In this review study, the articles were searched using the keywords COVID-19, Respiratory infection, and Coagulopathy in Google Scholar, PubMed, Google Springer and Science Direct databases. Ethical Considerations: Ethical principles in writing this article were observed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Ethics Committee and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Results Many changes in the coagulation profile of infected patients were reported, including changes in the platelet count, fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product, D-Dimer, fibrinogen, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. With the increase in the number of patients with COVID-19, several studies found out the occurrence of thrombosis and coagulopathy in patients. Conclusion: Due to the increase in the occurrence of coagulation disorders in patients with COVID-19, the administration of anticoagulants is needed for their treatment;it can play an effective role in improving the prognosis of patients.

CONCLUSION: Lessons Learned and Lessons Not Learned

The COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity for the language assessment world to shake house and renovate itself. After an introduction on the pandemic's beneficial role in education and language assessment, this chapter briefly surveys the lessons the field of second language assessment has learnt from the forced integration of technology to language tests at a global scale. Documenting some of the challenges of such integration, the chapter primarily highlights the main take-home messages as seen through the eyes of the contributors to the volume. Apart from lessons learnt, there have been lessons meant to be learnt which seem not to have been learnt yet;as such the chapter ends with raising awareness of what other lessons there are to learn in the wake of future similar catastrophes. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Karim Sadeghi;individual chapters, the contributors.

TECHNOLOGY IN LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT: An Overview

Computer-assisted language learning and teaching is as old as the computer technology itself and the field of language education has benefited greatly from affordances digital technology has brought with it since the 1970s. The invention of the World Wide Web and the Internet in 1989 led to unprecedented advances in many fields including the teaching and learning of languages while developments in language assessment have been slow for various reasons including test security and unavailability of the needed infrastructure in many parts of the world. Despite these shortcomings, large-scale proficiency tests have made great strides in computerised and online assessment but classroom second language (L2) assessment still lags behind particularly in technologically less resourced contexts. The recent global health crisis (COVID-19 pandemic) has once again brought to the fore the significant role of digital technology in language education and assessment. This chapter surveys the historical trends and developments in the use of computer technology in language assessment and highlights affordances various technological tools can offer at the time where L2 education and assessment could have come to a full stop were it not for the saviour role they played. This chapter ends with an outline of the whole volume. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Karim Sadeghi;individual chapters, the contributors.

TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT IN DIVERSE CONTEXTS: Lessons from the Transition to Online Testing during COVID-19

This timely collection explores the role of digital technology in language education and assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognises the unique pressures which the COVID-19 pandemic placed on assessment in language education, and examines the forced shift in assessment strategies to go online, the existing shortfalls, as well as unique affordances of technology-assisted L2 assessment. By showcasing international examples of successful digital and computer-assisted proficiency and skills testing, the volume addresses theoretical and practical concerns relating to test validity, reliability, ethics, and student experience in a range of testing contexts. Particular attention is given to identifying lessons and implications for future research and practice, and the challenges of implementing unplanned computer-assisted language assessment during a crisis. Insightfully unpacking the lessons learned from COVID and its impact on the acceleration of the shift towards online course and assessment delivery, it offers important guidelines for navigating assessment in different instructional settings in times of crisis. It will appeal to scholars, researchers, educators, and faculty with interests in educational measurement, digital education and technology, and language assessment and testing. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Karim Sadeghi;individual chapters, the contributors.

English as a Foreign Language Teachers’ Wellbeing amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Teachers serving at the front lines of education during difficult times of the pandemic seem to have been forgotten in these bustling days around the world. While delivery of high-quality education is on the shoulders of these people, their life and wellbeing have been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;however, there is little documented evidence on how the pandemic has impacted language teachers’ wellbeing. To fill this gap, this qualitative study examines the wellbeing of English as a Foreign Language teachers in Iranian public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten participants who attended in-depth interviews were found to have their wellbeing levels severely affected by the pandemic. Indeed, the newly emerged challenges have been added to the existing obstacles and augmented the already stressful teaching profession. Based on the findings, recommendations are provided for authorities and parents to be employed during the pandemic and afterward to help teachers flourish and subsequently improve quality education. © 2022 The Authors. Published by University of Isfahan.

EDITORIAL

It is great to catch up with you again at the end of June, the time our July issue has gone live since we started publishing. After more than two years of severe global restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, upcoming months and years will hopefully promise a healthier life, and I trust all of you will have brighter days to enjoy ahead of you, especially now that the academic year is coming to a close in many places and many of you are preparing for your summer holiday. The dedicated IJLTR team will however make sure that still another brand new issue will be ready to read when you return from your summer vacation. It is in light of this never-ending support from the team, board members, contributors, reviewers and even our critics that IJLTR is flourishing day by day and continues to grow from strength to strength. It gives me immense pleasure to report our new landmarks each June © 2022. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research.All Rights Reserved.

Iranian EFL Teachers' Experiences with Online Professional Development: Perceptions and Preferences

Professional development (PD) has received a growing attention in teacher education research since it has the potential to affect teacher learning. More recently and in particular as an aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, online PD modes have overtaken more traditional face to face approaches. Despite this, studies on language teachers' preferences for online PD approaches have been limited. To bridge this gap, this study investigated Iranian English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' perceptions of online PD. Participants included 105 male and female EFL instructors teaching at private institutes, universities, and public schools. An online questionnaire consisting of closed- and open-ended items was employed to discover teachers' perspectives on PD. The findings indicated that despite having little or no online PD experiences, most teachers had a positive perception towards an electronic mode of professional learning and rated expert teacher applications, online video lesson study, and video library as their favourite online resources. The study recommends taking advantage of various online PD formats in teacher education programs, esp. at a time when most teaching and learning continues to be online worldwide.

Detection of non-influenza related viral respiratory infections among returning hajj pilgrims, the Islamic Republic of Iran 2017

Objectives: Pilgrims returning from the Hajj can augment the international spread of viral respiratory infections. In this study the prevalence of non-influenza viral infection in pilgrims returning from the Hajj was investigated. Method(s): A cross-sectional study in which 120 pilgrims returning from the Hajj participated. Nasal and throat swab specimens were obtained from patients hospitalized for respiratory complications and who tested negative for influenza viruses. All samples were examined for adenovirus using nested-PCR, bocavirus using PCR, rhinovirus using nested-RT-PCR, and RSV, HCov-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-NL63 and HMPV using real-time PCR. Result(s): Over 44.0% (n = 53) of participants showed viral-related symptoms. Viruses detected were: adenovirus (n = 24, 20.0%);rhinovirus (n = 19, 15.8%);HCoV-OC43 (n = 3, 2.5%), detected for the first time in Iran;HCov-229E (n = 2, 1.6% and bocavirus (n = 1, 0.8%). RSV, HMPV, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 were not detected. Co-infection was diagnosed in six participants (5.0%). Conclusion(s): The annual Hajj ritual lasts for at least five days and over three million people participate from around the world. Because antivirals and vaccines are only available for influenza, to prevent other respiratory infections healthcare education during or prior to Hajj, including the importance of using alcohol-based hand scrubs, is recommended.