Preana: Game Theory Based Prediction with Reinforcement Learning

In this article, we have developed a game theory based prediction tool, named Preana, based on a promising model developed by Professor Bruce Beuno de Mesquita. The first part of this work is dedicated to exploration of the specifics of Mesquita’s algorithm and reproduction of the factors and features that have not been revealed in literature. In addition, we have developed a learning mechanism to model the players’ reasoning ability when it comes to taking risks. Preana can predict the outcome of any issue with multiple steak-holders who have conflicting interests in economic, business, and political sciences. We have utilized game theory, expected utility theory, Median voter theory, probability distribution and reinforcement learning. We were able to reproduce Mesquita’s reported results and have included two case studies from his publications and compared his results to that of Preana. We have also applied Preana on Irans 2013 presidential election to verify the accuracy of the prediction made by Preana

The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Anxiety: A Case Study: Psychology Undergraduate Students of Tehran University

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mind training on anxiety. The research method was quasi-experimental. The statistical population of this study included 20 psychology students from Tehran University (10 female and 10 male). From this statistical population, we selected 20 of students with above-average levels of anxiety and divided them into two groups of girls and boys using a targeted sampling method. Data were collected using the STAI questionnaire. Data were analyzed with EXCEL software. As a result, there was a significant difference in the study variables between Group 1 and Group 2, indicating that mindfulness-based stress reduction program training was effective in reducing anxiety

The Effectiveness of Exposure Therapy Based on Virtual Reality on the Anxiety of the Speaker: Case Study: Psychology Undergraduate Students of Tehran University

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality-based exposure therapy in reducing language anxiety. The research methodology of this study was semi-experimental in her two groups of men and women at the University of Tehran. The study's statistical population included 20 of her first-year psychology students at the University of Tehran, half of whom were girls and boys between the ages of 18 and 22. Data were selected using a targeted sampling method and divided precisely into her two groups of 10 boys and girls. We collected data using the Voice Anxiety Automatic Thought Questionnaire (SAATQ) and analyzed the data using Excel. As a result of the analysis, there was a significant difference between the girls' group and the boys' group, and it was said that girls had a stronger tendency to be afraid of language

Biodecolorization of azo dye Acid Blue 92 (AB92) by Ceratophyllum de-mersum L.: process optimization using Taguchi method and toxicity as-sessment

This study evaluated the ability of the submerged aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demersum to remove the Acid Blue 92 (AB92) dye. The effect of some operational parameters such as the reaction time, initial dye concentration, initial plant biomass, and pH, on dye removal efficiency was studied. Based on Taguchi’s results, the optimized conditions for dye removal were time 7 days, dye concentration 20 mg l-1, initial plant biomass 4 g, and initial pH 5. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results confirmed the interaction between dye molecules and plants. Based on the results of this study, C. demersum had a reusability to remove the dye, this fact confirming the mechanism of biodegradation in the dye removal process. Also, the effect of AB92 on the physiological responses of C. demersum was investigated. Minimum relative growth rate, tolerance index, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and total carotenoids at a concentration of 20 mg l-1 of AB92 were observed. The concentration of cyanidin glycoside, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activity increased in both concentrations of 10 and 20 mg l-1. It can be concluded that both concentrations of AB92 induced antioxidant activity and the risk of oxidative stress for Ceratophyllum

The effect of descriptive evaluation of elementary school third grade subjects on academic achievement of students

The goal of this research was the effect of descriptive evaluation of elementary school third grade subjects on academic achievement of students and its comparison with traditional evaluation. The statistical population of the research included all female third grade students of elementary schools in ZarrinShahr in academic year of 2012-2013 who were a total number of 742 students as well as the elementary school third grade teachers who were a number of 34 teachers. Among them a number of 147 students and 28 teachers were selected via cluster sampling. Research methodology in this study was of survey-descriptive type. The research tools were checklists and a questionnaire of opinion toll, made by the researcher. To assess the validity of the tools used, the face validity and content validity were used and the validity of the questionnaire was estimated as a=0.93. Chi square test was used to analyze the research questions. The results of the research showed that using different methods of descriptive evaluation has been effective in improving the students’ performances in such subjects as the Holy Quran, social sciences, arts, science & Persian, while it has not been effective in improving their performances in such subjects as heavenly gifts (the Holy Quran for elementary students) and mathematics. Finally, the results of opinion toll showed that the teachers found descriptive evaluation more suitable than traditional evaluation in evaluating all the third grade subjects of elementary school. Keywords: Evaluation, Descriptive evaluation, Traditional evaluation, Students’ performances

Dictation errors among students of primary schools in Iranian populations

Introduction: Dictation as an important academic ability involves divers cortical processes so that any problem in one of them may lead to a dictation error. Identifying current dictation errors helps specialists to understand its causes more comprehensively and to use the most effective interventional approaches. The aim of this study was to compare the most common dictation errors between primary students of Semnan and Babol cities in Iran. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, dictation samples of 2215 Semnan’s primary students and 1664 Babol’s primary students were collected. All of participants had normal I.Q, hearing skills and cranial nerves functions. Dictation materials were chosen from their books and dictated by their teachers. All of errors were categorized according to error kinds. Results: There were significant differences between Semnan’s and Babol’s primary students according to the frequency of dictation errors and their grades. Some of errors such as visual memory, educational and dysgraphia errors were significantly common between groups and all grades. Semnan’s primary students had more dictation errors in first and second grades than Babol’s primary students, although this condition reversed in other grades. Conclusion: Dialect may influence dictation and its errors so there should be various therapeutic and educational focuses for different dialects. The highest levels of visual memory, educational and accuracy errors mean that it is necessary to pay more attention on their prerequisites developmental skills to prevent and to treat them

Effect of Protein Supplementation on Serum Electrolytes in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Controlling malnutrition in hemodialysis (HD) patients is of great concern. On the other hand, managing serum electrolytes including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium at the same time is critical to improve patients’ survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of whey protein supplementation on serum electrolytes in HD patients. Methods: Ninety two 17 to 65 years old HD patients were randomly assigned to four groups of (i) receiving whey beverage fortified with vitamin E, (ii) receiving whey beverage, (iii) receiving vitamin E, and (iv) as the control group receiving no intervention (for 8 weeks). At the beginning and at the end of the study phase, serum electrolytes including serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium were measured using the automated techniques. Results: After comparing all groups, it was demonstrated that there were significant decreases in serum phosphorus in group 1 and group 2, that both were significantly different from the control group. On the other hand, in group 3, serum potassium reduced after intervention, which was significantly different form the control group. Serum sodium significantly decreased in group 2 in comparison to control group. Conclusion: Whey beverage fortified with vitamin E did not disturb HD patients’ serum electrolytes and helped HD patients to improve and control serum electrolytes. This warrants more investigations to find the exact mechanisms of the effects of whey or vitamin E on serum electrolytes

Employing Statistical Algorithms and Clustering Techniques to Assess Lithological Facies for Identifying Optimal Reservoir Rocks: A Case Study of the Mansouri Oilfields, SW Iran

The crucial parameters influencing drilling operations, reservoir production behavior, and well completion are lithology and reservoir rock. This study identified optimal reservoir rocks and facies in 280 core samples from a drilled well in the Asmari reservoir of the Mansouri field in SW Iran to determine the number of hydraulic flow units. Reservoir samples were prepared, and their porosity and permeability were determined by measuring devices. The flow zone index (FZI) was calculated for each sample using MATLAB software; then, a histogram analysis was performed on the logarithmic data of the FZI, and the number of hydraulic flow units was determined based on the obtained normal distributions. Electrical facies were determined based on artificial neural network (ANN) and multi-resolution graph-based clustering (MRGC) approaches. Five electrical facies with dissimilar reservoir conditions and lithological compositions were ultimately specified. Based on described lithofacies, shale and sandstone in zones three and five demonstrated elevated reservoir quality. This study aimed to determine the Asmari reservoir’s porous medium’s flowing fluid according to the C-mean fuzzy logic method. Furthermore, the third and fourth flow units in the Asmari Formation have the best flow units with high reservoir quality and permeability due to determining the siliceous–clastic facies of the rock units and log data. Outcomes could be corresponded to the flow unit determination in further nearby wellbores without cores