On Teaching Quality Improvement of a Mathematical Topic Using Artificial Neural Networks Modeling (With a Case Study)

This paper inspired by simulation by Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) applied recently for evaluation of phonics methodology to teach children "how to read". A novel approach for teaching a mathematical topic using a computer aided learning (CAL) package applied at educational field (a children classroom). Interesting practical results obtained after field application of suggested CAL package with and without associated teacher''s voice. Presented study highly recommends application of a novel teaching trend based on behaviorism and individuals'' learning styles. That is to improve quality of children mathematical learning performance

Lazy Decomposition for Distributed Decision Procedures

The increasing popularity of automated tools for software and hardware verification puts ever increasing demands on the underlying decision procedures. This paper presents a framework for distributed decision procedures (for first-order problems) based on Craig interpolation. Formulas are distributed in a lazy fashion, i.e., without the use of costly decomposition algorithms. Potential models which are shown to be incorrect are reconciled through the use of Craig interpolants. Experimental results on challenging propositional satisfiability problems indicate that our method is able to outperform traditional solving techniques even without the use of additional resources.Comment: In Proceedings PDMC 2011, arXiv:1111.006

Theoretical Evaluation of Required PlasticWork in Bulging of Statically loaded Plate

Finding the amount of plastic deformation into metallic plates,metallicstructures, ships frame, bodies of different types of cylinders and reservoirsbodies as a result of exposure tostaticor dynamic forceis so necessary todetermine the extent ofdistortionand destructionhappening intheseobjects and this is one of the main factors in design calculations to determine the dimensions and thicknesses of these bodies. Derivation anew theoreticalmodelto calculate theamount of work and forcerequired to bulge the sheet metalisa very important targetbecause of the lack of a theoretical relations to calculate the work of plastic deformation with good approximationoridenticalto exact required work and force; or vice-versa to find the amount of plastic deformation as a result of a specific work or specific force.This was donein this research where a theoretical model has been derivedthrough the expense of work and force necessary to generatebulging in sheet metal. This theoretical model has been adopted on the mildsteel plates which are of wide application in practical life. Results obtained from the theoretical model were compared with those obtained from tests conducted onsimply supported circular steel plates made from low carbon steel ,milled steel , of a (280) mm diameter and (1,2, 3, 4,5, 6, 8,10) mm thickness andexposed to central force applied by a flat ended punch of 10 mm diameter. The applying force was increased gradually till it caused plastic deformation in the sheet, and then reached the state of shear of the disk, which is locatedunder the punch. Results comparison appear matchorsubstantial convergence between the practical resultsand those obtained from the theoretical model to find the work and for ceit takes to plastic deformation in the tested plates

Prescreening and efficiency in the evaluation of integrals over ab initio effective core potentials

New, efficient schemes for the prescreening and evaluation of integrals over effective core potentials (ECPs) are presented. The screening is shown to give a rigorous, and close bound, to within on average 10% of the true value. A systematic rescaling procedure is given to reduce this error to approximately 0.1%. This is then used to devise a numerically stable recursive integration routine that avoids expensive quadratures. Tests with CCSD(T) calculations on small silver clusters demonstrate that the new schemes show no loss in accuracy, while reducing both the power and prefactor of the scaling with system size. In particular, speedups of roughly 40 times can be achieved compared to quadrature-based methods

PRESENTATION OF TOW SABIR ELEMENT RESULTS WITH IRREGULAR SHAPES

In 1985, Sabir developed two membrane finite elements having an additional nodal degree of freedom (DRILLINGROTATION). The main objective of this important development is to contribute in modeling the complex structures havingonly simple geometrical shape. In this paper, a new analytical integration expression is developed in order to model structureshave complex geometrical shape. It is of importance to know how these elements will behave when they have irregular shapes

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Five Hot Springs in Eritrea

Eritrea has a number of hot springs whose physicochemical characteristics are not documented. This study examined the thermal and chemical features of five hot springs located in the eastern escarpment of Eritrea. Field data and water samples were collected from five hot springs namely; Akwar and Maiwooi near Gahtelai, Garbanabra and Gelti near Irafayle at the Gulf of Zula and Elegedi in Alid volcanic center. The water temperatures at source varied from 49.5°C to 100°C while pH levels ranged from 6.97 to 7.54. Elegedi had significantly higher temperature (p < 0.05) than the other four hot springs. Strong correlation was observed between electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), salinity, sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride (R2 > 0.9) as well as between temperature and sulphate levels (R2 = 0.96). Evident clustering was noted at p < 0.05, using Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), between the three locations of the hot springs. Akwar and Maiwooi, situated close to each other, clustered together, Garbanabra and Gelti, which were characterized by higher salinity levels, formed a separate cluster. Elegedi, characterized by high temperature (100°C), sulphate (979.7 mg/l) and NH4+ (196.33 mg/l) levels, clustered separately. Akwar and Maiwooi had high bicarbonate (345 mg/l and 393 mg/l) and fluoride (8.20 mg/l and 6.48 mg/l) levels which are above WHO limits. Electrical conductivity (23,133 mS/cm), total dissolved solid (15,552 mg/l), sodium (3,800 mg/l), potassium (198 mg/l), calcium (1,653 mg/l) and chloride (5,946 mg/l) levels in Garbanabra and Gelti hot springs exceeded WHO limits. Bromine (74.8 mg/l in Garbanabra and 45.2 mg/l in Gelti) and boron (2.21 mg/l in Garbanabra and 1.55 mg/l in Gelti) levels were also above standard limits set for potable water. Maiwooi (1.20) and Elegedi (1.10) were depositional while Akwar water (-0.71) was slightly corrosive. The corrosive nature of the water sample from Akwar, is a public health concern. The waters from the five Eritrean hot springs are thus not fit for human consumption. In addition, the use of thermal spring water for recreational purposes should be closely monitored. Keywords: key words, hot springs, physicochemical, Eritre

Outcomes of viral myocarditis in patients with and without COVID-19: a nationwide analysis from the United States

UNLABELLED: Cardiovascular complications contribute to 40% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related deaths. The viral myocarditis associated with COVID-19 accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. How COVID-19 myocarditis compares to other viral myocardites is unknown. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database to identify adult patients hospitalized for viral myocarditis in 2020 and to compare outcomes between those with and without COVID-19. The primary study outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital complications, length of stay, and total costs. RESULTS: The study population included 15 390 patients with viral myocarditis, of whom 5540 (36%) had COVID-19. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, patients with COVID-19 had higher odds of in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.46, 95% CI 2.57-4.67], cardiovascular complications (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.14-1.87) including cardiac arrest (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.36-3.14), myocardial infarction (aOR 2.97, 95% CI 2.10-4.20), venous thromboembolism (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.25-3.22), neurologic complications (aOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.10-2.84), renal complications (aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.38-2.13), and hematologic complications (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.74), but lower odds of acute heart failure (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44-0.80). The odds of pericarditis, pericardial effusion/tamponade, cardiogenic shock, and the need for vasopressors or mechanical circulatory support were similar. Patients with COVID-19 had longer length of stay (7 days vs. 4 days, P\u3c0.01) and higher total costs ($21,308 vs.$14,089, P\u3c0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with viral myocarditis, COVID-19 is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular, neurologic, renal, and hematologic complications compared to non-COVID-19 viruses

Normative Does Not Mean Inclusive: A Diverse Approach to Size in CMHC Training

The medicalized model of weight and weight loss upholds a Weight Normative Approach which assumes that: (a) weight and disease are positively and causally related, (b) weight loss correlates to better health, (c) bodyweight is controllable, and (d) significant weight loss is possible and sustainable. This approach contributes to harmful societal standards that increase prejudice against fat people. This study examined counselor educators’ (n=88) training, values, and implementation of size and fat phobia-related content in their CACREP-accredited counseling courses. Results indicated that many participants include size and sizeism in their courses; however, participants also reported agreement with tenants of Weight Normative Models. This research is a call to action for educators to adopt and advocate for a Weight Inclusive Model

Prevalence of hepatitis G virus among hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Background: Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a member of Flaviviridae. Prevalence of HGV in healthy people is very low, but this virus is more prevalent in patients with hepatitis. Besides, relative frequency of HGV in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and kidney recipients is very high. The role of HGV in pathogenesis is not clear. Since this virus cannot be cultivated, molecular techniques such as Revers Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is applied to detect HGV. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HGV using determination of E2, viral envelope antigen, antibodies and the RNA by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR techniques. The rational of the study was to determine the prevalence of HGV in patients undergoing hemodialysis and kidney transplantation in Khuzestan province, Iran. Patients and Methods: Five hundred and sixteen serum samples of the patients undergoing hemodialysis and kidney transplantation from various cities of Khuzestan province were collected. Anti-hepatitis G E2 antibodies were investigated by ELISA method. RNAs were extracted from serums and Hepatitis G RNA was detected by RT-PCR. Results: Of the 516 samples, 38 (7.36) specimens were positive for anti-HGV by ELISA. All of these ELISA positive samples were negative for HGV genome by RT-PCR. Of the remaining 478 ELISA negative samples, 16 (3.14) samples were positive by RT-PCR. Conclusions: Hepatitis G Virus was not prevalent in the patients undergoing hemodialysis and kidney transplantation in Khuzestan province. Although reports indicated high frequency of co-infection of HGV with hepatitis B and C viruses, in the current research, co-infection of HGV with B and C was not considerable. Since diferent groups and subtypes of HGV are reported, periodic epidemiologic evaluation of HGV and its co-infection with other hepatitis viruses is suggested in other populations such as the patients with thalassemia; however, periodic epidemiologic monitoring of HGV may be helpful to control future potential variations of the virus. © 2015, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences