Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Reducing Mood Symptoms in Patients With Substance Abuse

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on reducing mood symptoms in patients with substance abuse.Methods: The current research was a semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test with a control group. The participants consisted of all people with substance abuse referred to drug abuse treatment centers in district 4 and 8 of Tehran city in 2016-2017. In this way, 45 subjects selected by purposeful sampling method and randomly divided into 2 groups of experimental and one control group (15 persons for each group). Then, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire and Depression Inventory took from the subjects of each group. CBT and ACT performed in 8 sessions of 90 minutes in 2 experimental groups and control group were also without any training program. After completing the training, the post-test performed for all three groups. Data analysis was done by using the covariance analysis (MANCOVA) and using SPSS-21 software.Results: The findings showed that CBT and ACT were effective in reducing mood syndrome in patients with substance abuse (P<00.001). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the effectiveness of the CBT and ACT on the reduction of mood syndrome in patients with substance abuse.Conclusion: Considering the effect of CBT and ACT on the reduction of mood syndrome among patients with substance abuse, it is worth considering the role of these 2 treatments as one of the educational and therapeutic strategies for substance abuse

Low-Cost Traffic Sensing System Based on LoRaWAN for Urban Areas

The advent of Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) has enabled the feasibility of wireless sensor networks for environmental traffic sensing across urban areas. In this study, we explore the usage of LoRaWAN end nodes as traffic sensing sensors to offer a practical traffic management solution. The monitored Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) factor is reported and used in the gateways to assess the traffic of the environment. Our technique utilizes LoRaWAN as a long-range communication technology to provide a largescale system. In this work, we present a method of using LoRaWAN devices to estimate traffic flows. LoRaWAN end devices then transmit their packets to different gateways. Their RSSI will be affected by the number of cars present on the roadway. We used SVM and clustering methods to classify the approximate number of cars present. This paper details our experiences with the design and real implementation of this system across an area that stretches for miles in urban scenarios. We continuously measured and reported RSSI at different gateways for weeks. Results have shown that if a LoRaWAN end node is placed in an optimal position, up to 96% of correct environment traffic level detection can be obtained. Additionally, we share the lComment: 7 pages, accepted to Emerging Topics in Wireless (EmergingWireless) in CoNEXT 202

Serum Vitamin Profile in Oral Lichen Planus Patients in Southwest of Iran

Introduction. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease. It is mainly an immune system-related disorder. Vitamins can modulate immune system functions, and thus, vitamin deficiency might have roles in exacerbating OLP. We aim to determine the serum levels of vitamins A, B12, C, D3, and E in OLP patients. Methods and Materials. 34 OLP patients referred to Shiraz Dental School entered the study. Blood samples were collected and levels of A, B12, C, D3, and E vitamins were measured in serum. 43 healthy people were also included as the control group. Serum levels of vitamins were measured by HPLC (A, B12, D3, and E) and Kiazist analyzing kit (vitamin C). Results. Most of the patients were female (62.3%), and the mean age of patients was 48.03±11.57. Serum levels of vitamins A, C, and E were lower in OLP patients in comparison with the healthy group; however, the difference was not significant. Vitamins B12 and D3 were higher in the OLP group but the difference was not significant. Conclusion. Serum levels of vitamins A, B12, C, D3, and E do not have a significant difference in OLP patients and healthy groups. These vitamins may not have a considerable role in OLP pathogenesis in the southwest of Iran

The effect of education based on Fernald\'s multisensory approach on improving visual memory and fluency of students with learning disabilities

Background and purpose: Fernald's multi-sensory approach is trying to develop the basic skills of reading and writing through auditory, visual, kinetic and tactile motivations, and during it, by focusing on visual, auditory attention and correct pronunciation, it contributes to comprehensive phonological awareness; Therefore, the aim of this research was the effect of education based on Fernald's multisensory approach on improving visual memory and fluency of students with learning disabilities. Research method: This research was in the category of semi-experimental research (pre-test, post-test with experimental and control group and random placement) in terms of practical purpose and method. The statistical population included 6th grade male students with learning disabilities in Semnan who were studying in the schools of this city in the academic year of 2017-2018. 14 people from the research community (7 people in each group) were selected as participants in a targeted manner and based on the entry criteria, and were placed in two control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in 10 training sessions based on Fernald's multi-sensory approach, and during this time, the control group did not receive any intervention. The data of the research was collected using the Colorado learning problems scale of Willcott et al. The data were analyzed in two stages, pre-test and post-test, using analysis of covariance test. Results: The results of the research showed that training sessions based on Fernald's multisensory approach have been able to significantly increase the variable of reading problems (P<0.05) and there was no significant improvement in the variable of visual memory. Conclusion: The findings of the present study emphasized the effectiveness of the multi-sensory approach in improving the academic status of students with learning disabilities

Impact of Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Learning Strategies on Academic Achievement among Nursing Students

Background: Cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies are identified as important solutions for improving academic achievement. This study aimed toevaluate the effect of teaching cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies on academic achievement among nursing students. Methods: This Study was an experimental with pretest and posttest and follow-updesign.&nbsp; The study population included all nursing students atIslamic Azad University of Pishva during 2013-14. Overall, 40 students were chosen byconvenience sampling technique and randomly divided into two groups (20 subjects in each group) of experimental and control. Students in the experimental group received 10 sessions of 70 minutes long (twice a week) training for cognitive and metacognitive strategies, while the control group received no training. All students completed a teacher-made academic achievement testat the pretest, posttest, and follow-up phases. Data were analyzed usingrepeated measures ANOVA technique. Results: The mean value of the experimental group (16.67 &plusmn; 3.58) was higher than the control group (13.47 &plusmn; 2.37) at the posttest phase. Themean value of the experimental group (16.29 &plusmn; 3.74) was higher than the control group (12.93 &plusmn; 2.84) at the follow-up phase. In addition, there were significant differencesbetween mean valuesat the posttest and follow up phases and mean valueatthe pretest phase. However, there was no significant difference between the mean values of the posttest phase and the follow-up phase. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that teaching cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies improves academic achievement in students at posttest and follow-up phases. Thus, academic teachers may teach these useful strategies to the students to improve their academic achievement

Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Trigeminal Neuralgia; A Systematic Review

Statement of the Problem: Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common and disabling type of neuralgia in craniofacial region. Because of adverse effects of first and second lines of treatment, new modalities including laser therapy have been investigated for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the effect of laser in trigeminal neuralgia. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Embase databases from December 1983 to August 2020 were searched using keywords “trigeminal neuralgia” and “laser”. Our inclusion criteria were interventional studies with a randomized clinical trial design, which used laser for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.Materials and Method: A total of 269 records were identified through systematically searching aforementioned databases among which, 30 were from PubMed and 44 were from Web of Science. A total of 111 records were duplicated and were therefore removed.Results: Only 17 records were considered relevant after reading title and abstracts. After reading full texts of the articles, 13 met the eligibility criteria and were included in our review.Conclusion: This review revealed that low-level laser therapy reduces pain in trigeminal neuralgia specially diode lasers, although there are no standardized protocols for laser procedures

The Role of Cow’s Milk Allergy in Pediatric Chronic Constipation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Cow's milk allergy has different presentations in children and can cause functional bowel symptoms such as chronic constipation. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of cow’s milk allergy as a cause of chronic constipation and effect of cow’s milk free diet (CMFD) on its treatment in children. Methods: We performed a randomized clinical study comparing CMFD with cow’s milk diet (CMD) in two groups each consisting of 70 patients (age range, 1-13 years) with chronic functional constipation (defined as Rome III criteria). All subjects had been referred to a pediatric gastroenterology clinic and had previously been treated with laxatives for at least 3 months without success; also all 140 patients performed skin prick test. The case group received CMFD for 4 weeks. After that they received CMD for 2 extra weeks. The control group received CMD for whole 6 weeks. A response was defined as decreased in signs and symptoms that not fulfilled Rome III criteria after 4 weeks of CMFD and came back to Rome III criteria after 2 weeks of CMD challenge. Findings: After 4 weeks 56 (80%) patients of the case group responded in comparison to 33 (47.1%) patients in the control group (P=0.0001). In the case group after 2 weeks challenge 24 out of 56 (42.8%) responders developed constipation according to Rome III criteria. With other words, the frequency of cow’s milk allergy among constipated patients was 80%. Only one patient had positive skin prick test. Conclusion: In children, chronic constipation can be a manifestation of cow’s milk allergy. At present, although several aspects must be further investigated, a therapeutic attempt with elimination diet is advisable in all children with constipation unresponsive to correct laxative treatment