Prediction of noise using artificial neural networks modeling and statistical methods in the woodworking industry

Introduction: Noise pollution is one of the most important pollutants in the work environment and is almost one of the harmful factors for workers' health. Sound prediction is one of the important aspects of sound control in industries. Forecasting is important in the carpentry industry, which is an important part of the woodworking industry and workers are exposed to excessive noise. There are many methods for predicting noise. Materials and Methods: This research is a study Descriptive, analytical - cross-sectional that was carried out in 6 main phases, which include: 1- Identifying and collecting data 2- Determining the evaluation criteria of statistical models and artificial neural networks 3- Constructing multiple regression 4- Implementing artificial neural networks 5- Optimizing the weights of artificial neural networks It is model sensitivity analysis with genetic algorithm. In the first stage, data was collected from 375 carpentry workshops in Tehran province, Khavaran, Chahardangeh, Nematabad and Delavaran industrial towns. From the 10 main characteristics of acoustic, structural and carpentry processes that affect sound, in the next step, evaluation criteria were presented for comparison and accuracy of both statistical models and artificial neural networks. Then statistical analysis of multiple regressions was done. Then, artificial neural network modeling was implemented with the help of MATLAB software. In the next step, the weights of artificial neural networks were optimized using the genetic algorithm, then the sensitivity analysis of the model was performed using calculations. Discussion: With the help of evaluation criteria, two models of artificial neural networks and statistical methods were compared. The results showed that artificial neural networks provide more accurate prediction than multiple regression. The best neural network can accurately predict the equivalent sound level, our results showed that the developed experimental methods can be a useful tool for the analysis of noise pollution and enable occupational health professionals to use these methods. Conclusion: The artificial neural network model showed higher accuracy compared to linear and non-linear regression statistical models. In this study, the artificial neural network was trained 13,000 times by the gradient descent algorithm, which showed higher accuracy compared to similar studies where the repetition rate of the training algorithm was much lower, so this study showed that by increasing the repetition, the prediction accuracy can be increased. . Finally, a graphical user interface program was presented using factors affecting sound to predict noise in the woodworking industry. Key word: Sound prediction, artificial neural networks, wood industry, sound exposur

Effect of initiation time of oral hydration on the return of bowel function and woman's satisfaction after elective caesarean section in primiparous women

Background and Objective: Abdominal operations as gynaecological procedures result in gastrointestinal dysmotility. Early feeding and ambulation are nonpharmacologic interventions which can be useful in re-initiation of bowel function. This study was done to evaluate the effect of early oral hydration on the return of bowel function and woman's satisfaction after elective caesarean section in primiparous women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 120 primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section were assigned to control and intervention groups in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran during 2007. In the interventional group, oral hydration with liquids was started 4 hours after surgery regardless of presence of bowel sounds and solid food was started after bowel sounds appeared. The control group recieved liquid diet 12 hours after the operation if it was tolerated, they were given soft diet and regular food at the next meal. The return of bowel activity, time of ambulating, satisfaction, discharge from the hospital and complications were compared in two groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS-15, Chi-Square, T and one way ANOVA tests. Results: The mean postoperative time interval to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds in interventional versus control groups were (9.5±1.38 and 12.5±2.5 hours) the first passage of flatus (15.7±3.61 vs.22.4±4.1 hours), time to first sensation of bowel movement (10.8±1.99 versus 15.7±3.4 hours) and defecation (18.9±3.65 versus 23.4±4.85 hours). These differences were significant (P<0.05). Also discharge from the hospital (0.96±0.18 versus 1.1±34 days) were significantly shorter in interventional group (P<0.05). The women in the early feeding group got out of bed (patient mobilisation) earlier than their interventional group (14.1 hours versus 18.8 hours (P<0.05). Maternal satisfaction was significantly higher among the early fed women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Early oral hydration after elective cesarean section associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and increased woman’s satisfaction

Two-dimensional Parameter Relationships for W UMa-type Systems Revisited

Reviewing the empirical and theoretical parameter relationships between various parameters is a good way to understand more about contact binary systems. In this investigation, two-dimensional (2D) relationships for P-M_V(system), P-L_1,2, M_1,2-L_1,2, and q-L_ratio were revisited. The sample used is related to 118 contact binary systems with an orbital period shorter than 0.6 days whose absolute parameters were estimated based on the Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) parallax. We reviewed previous studies on 2D relationships and updated six parameter relationships. Therefore, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Machine Learning (ML) methods were used, and the outcomes were compared. We selected 22 contact binary systems from eight previous studies for comparison, which had light curve solutions using spectroscopic data. The results show that the systems are in good agreement with the results of this study.Comment: Accepted by the Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (RAA) journa

Minoxidil and Dexamethasone Eluting Nanofiber Dressing for Cutaneous Wound Healing in Rat

Background: Minoxidil is an antihypertensive agent and vasodilator which may help to promote local blood flow thus hastening the closure of excisional skin wounds. Corticosteroids may down-regulate wound healing. This work aims to develop and characterize nanofiber-eluting dexamethasone and minoxidil and investigate their effect on wound healing in a rat model. Methods: Minoxidil and dexamethasone-loaded wound dressings were developed and characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In vitro, drug release studies were performed for 12 days. To model the wound-healing activity of the developed formulations, excisional wounds were created on the dorsal section of male rats. Results: All the electrospun wound dressing nanofibers displayed smooth structures and surfaces without drug crystals. Histological results of Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining indicate wound healing suppression in the dexamethasone-treated group and good healing activity in the minoxidil-treated group. Here we identified that the application of topical minoxidil can be effective for wound healing probably driven by the anagen hair growth while dexamethasone suppresses collagen production and prevents scar formation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that this minoxidil and dexamethasone wound dressing can potentially be developed as a new treatment modality in the clinic to accelerate wound healing while preventing scar formation

Relief of labor pain by ice massage of the hand

Background: Labor pain is the worst pain experience during women's life. The management of labor pain is amongst the leading goals of maternity care. Unrelieved labor pain may adversely af ect both mother and the neonate. The aim of this study was to determine the ef ect of Hoku point ice massage on pain intensity in primiparous women during labor. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 primiparous women who were expected to have normal childbirth in Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord. All participants were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 30): ice massage (treatment) and sand bag group (control). The severity of the basal pain was measured at the beginning of active phase (4 cm cervical dilation) based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Then, after two groups received intervention, the severity of the labor pain in 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilation was measured. In the case group, the crushed ice twisted in a terry bag was rocked on the web of skin between thumb and forefinger. The massage was carried out in Hoku point throughout three contractions. The sand bag tactile massage in Hoku point was served in the control group. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive analysis using Mann- Whitney, x2, paired and independent t tests and P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: After completion of intervention, the pain intensity in the treatment group was significantly less than the control group P<0.001). Also, mean duration of active phase of labor in treatment group was significantly less than the control group (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the dif erence between the mean of the pain pre and post intervention was significant just in 4, 6 and 8 cervical dilation (P<0.001). Conclusions: Regarding the ice massage as a cost-ef ective and noninvasive nursing intervention and considering high satisfaction of patients, we recommend this safe and easy-to-use technique for alleviation of the labor pain

Assessment of different methods for characterization and simulation of post-cracking behavior of self-compacting steel fiber reinforced concrete

The post-cracking tensile properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) is one of the most important aspects that should be considered in design of SFRC structural members. The parameters that describe the post-cracking behavior of SFRC in tension are often derived using indirect methods combined with inverse analysis techniques applied to the results obtained from three- or four-point prism bending tests or from determinate round panel tests. However, there is still some uncertainty regarding the most reliable methodology for evaluating the post-cracking behavior of SFRC. In the present study a steel fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) was developed and its post-cracking behavior was investigated through an extensive experimental program composed of small determinate round panel and prism bending tests. Based on the results obtained from this experimental program, the constitutive tensile laws of the developed SFRSCC were obtained indirectly using two numerical approaches, as well as three available analytical approaches based on standards for estimating the stress versus crack width relationship (). The predictive performance of both the numerical and analytical approaches employed for estimating the relationship of the SFRSCC was assessed. The numerical simulations have provided a good prediction of the post-cracking behavior of the concrete. All the analytical formulations also demonstrated an acceptable accuracy for design purposes. Anyhow, among all the employed approaches, the one that considers the results of small determinate round panel tests (rather than that of prism bending tests) has predicted more accurately the constitutive tensile laws of the SFRSCCFEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within the scope of the project InOlicTower, POCI-01-0145-FEDER520 016905 (PTDC/ECM-EST/2635/2014)

Attitudes and Performance of Cardiologists Toward Sexual Issues in Cardiovascular Patients

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the attitudes and performance of cardiologists regarding sexual issues in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in a sample of cardiologists, representative of Iranian cardiologists, in 2015. Main Outcome Measures: Appropriate questionnaires were developed and used to ask participants about their attitudes, performance, and barriers regarding discussing sexual issues with patients with cardiovascular disease. Results: The study population consisted of 202 cardiologists (138 men and 63 women) with a mean age of 44.25 years (SD = 8.45). Overall, 93.15% of cardiologists agreed with the importance of discussing sexual issues with their patients with cardiovascular diseases. Almost 76.7% of cardiologists agreed they had a responsibility to deal with patients' sexual problems, and 79.9% of them were aware of the association of cardiovascular disease with sexual problems of cardiac patients, but only 33% of them were confident in their knowledge and skills in this regard. Only 10.6% of cardiologists reported they frequently or always assessed sexual problems with their patients, but 51.50% of them stated they were responding to patients' questions about sexual problems. There was a significant association between performance and responsibility. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a gap between cardiologist's attitudes and their actual performance and that their professional responsibility to address patients' sexual issues is a significant parameter for better performance

Trastornos del sueño en pacientes médicos hospitalizados: un artículo de revisión

Introduction and Background. Sleep disorder has side effects on health. Given the high prevalence of sleep disorders in hospitalized patients and since few studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of sleep improvement on the physical condition of hospitalized patients, the present study was conducted to examine the environmental and non-environmental factors and effective interventions in the sleep of hospitalized patients. Methods. This research was theoretical, and the research method was descriptive-analytical, and data were collected through the library method by referring to documents, books, and articles. Results. Several environmental factors such as sound, light, temperature, environmental conditions of wards and rooms affect patients' sleep conditions. Environmental factors affecting patients' sleep quality include underlying disease, pain, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, age, and primary sleep disorders. Conclusion. It seems that the simplest and most effective intervention to improve the sleep quality of hospitalized patients is non-pharmacological interventions and modification of environmental factors, although medications can play a major role in improving the sleep quality of patients.Introducción y antecedentes. El trastorno del sueño tiene efectos secundarios sobre la salud. Dada la alta prevalencia de trastornos del sueño en pacientes hospitalizados y dado que se han realizado pocos estudios para investigar los efectos de la mejora del sueño en la condición física de los pacientes hospitalizados, el presente estudio se realizó para examinar los factores ambientales y no ambientales y las intervenciones efectivas en el sueño de los pacientes hospitalizados. Métodos. Esta investigación fue teórica y el método de investigación fue descriptivo-analítico, y los datos se recolectaron a través del método de biblioteca haciendo referencia a documentos, libros y artículos. Resultados. Varios factores ambientales como el sonido, la luz, la temperatura, las condiciones ambientales de las salas y las habitaciones afectan las condiciones de sueño de los pacientes. Los factores ambientales que afectan la calidad del sueño de los pacientes incluyen enfermedades subyacentes, dolor, intervenciones farmacológicas y no farmacológicas, edad y trastornos primarios del sueño. Conclusión. Parece que la intervención más sencilla y eficaz para mejorar la calidad del sueño de los pacientes hospitalizados son las intervenciones no farmacológicas y la modificación de los factores ambientales, aunque los medicamentos pueden jugar un papel importante en la mejora de la calidad del sueño de los pacientes