A Huge Ovarian Cyst in a Middle-Aged Iranian Female

A 38-year-old Iranian woman was found to have a huge ovarian cystic mass. Her presenting symptom was vague abdominal pain and severe abdominal distention. She underwent laparotomy and after surgical removal, the mass was found to be mucinous cystadenoma on histology

Scaling Up Bayesian Neural Networks with Neural Networks

Bayesian Neural Network (BNN) offers a more principled, robust, and interpretable framework for analyzing high-dimensional data. They address the typical challenges associated with conventional deep learning methods, such as data insatiability, ad-hoc nature, and susceptibility to overfitting. However, their implementation typically relies on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods that are characterized by their computational intensity and inefficiency in a high-dimensional space. To address this issue, we propose a novel Calibration-Emulation-Sampling (CES) strategy to significantly enhance the computational efficiency of BNN. In this CES framework, during the initial calibration stage, we collect a small set of samples from the parameter space. These samples serve as training data for the emulator. Here, we employ a Deep Neural Network (DNN) emulator to approximate the forward mapping, i.e., the process that input data go through various layers to generate predictions. The trained emulator is then used for sampling from the posterior distribution at substantially higher speed compared to the original BNN. Using simulated and real data, we demonstrate that our proposed method improves computational efficiency of BNN, while maintaining similar performance in terms of prediction accuracy and uncertainty quantification.Comment: 13 page

The Relationship between Psychological Hardiness and Academic Enthusiasm and Vitality in Students of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Background: Psychological hardiness as a protective factor plays an essential role in how students face academic challenges. Paying attention to academic enthusiasm and vitality due to their strong impact on various aspects of students' academic life is of great importance. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological hardiness and academic enthusiasm and vitality in students of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2017-2018 on 341 students of Arak University of Medical Sciences selected by stratified random sampling based on gender. Data were collected using the Ahvaz Hardiness Inventory (AHI), Academic Enthusiasm Inventory developed by Fredricks et al., and Academic Vitality Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: There was a negative and significant relationship between psychological hardiness and academic enthusiasm (r=-0.17, P=0.002) and vitality (r=-0.38, P=0.001). Also, a positive and significant relationship was observed between academic enthusiasm and academic vitality (r=0.15, P=0.008). There was a significant difference between the mean scores of academic vitality of male and female students. Conclusion: In order to increase the quality of academic life of medical students, it is essential to teach the components of psychological hardiness, academic enthusiasm, and academic vitality to students. Keywords: Psychological Hardiness, Academic Enthusiasm, Academic Vitalit

Comparison of the Efficiency of Two Taping Techniques in Reducing Thoracic Kyphosis among Girls Aged 18-30 Years

Background: Kyphosis means an abnormal increase in the curvature of the thoracic region of the vertebral column and refers to a situation where the thoracic kyphosis range is more than forty five degrees. Vertebral column taping seems to be one of the most effective ways of treating kyphosis. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of two taping techniques in reducing the degree of kyphosis in girls aged 18-30 years. Methods: Thirty-two volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups (n=19 per group) of V–shaped tape and I-shaped tape. Taping techniques were performed as follows by applying 50% tensile force: V–shaped tape: The tape started on both sides of the anterior of acromioclavicular joint and extended to the spinous process of T6 vertebra. I–shaped tape: The patient’s body was kept in a standing and straight state and then a longitudinal tape was applied from T1 to the deepest lumbar lordosis region. The measurements were carried out before, immediately, 24, and 48 hours after taping by a flexible ruler in a similar manner. Data analysis was performed using Friedman Test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Mann Whitney Test. Results: The results of this study showed a significant reduction in the degree of kyphosis in the case of the V-shaped tape 48 hours after taping. However, the degree of kyphosis decreased after 24 h (P=0.001) and 48 hours (P< 0001) in the I-shaped tape group. In addition, there was no significant difference between the two interventions in terms of decreasing the degree of kyphosis at any time interval except for 24 hours (P=0.043). Conclusion: Taping reduces the degree of kyphosis by creating mechanical support, creating proprioceptive feedback, affecting the proprioception, improving the function of spinal erectors, and improving the mental image of the body with kyphosis. It appears that the I-shaped tape positioning on the alignment of spinal erectors spine makes it more effective

Assessment of Dental Materials’ Catalogs Based on Safety and Protection Items in Dental School of Kerman

Objectives Dental materials are potentially hazardous and can negatively affect the health of patients, dental staff, and the surrounding environment. Thus, it is important to be aware and comply with the information provided in the material safety data sheets (MSDSs). Therefore, it seems necessary to review the dental material safety sheets in order to determine their consistency with the standard safety items required for dental materials. This study aimed to evaluate the MSDSs of dental materials consumed in Kerman Dental School to determine their compliance with the standard safety items. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 106 dental materials were selected from 12 clinical departments of Kerman Dental School. The MSDSs were assessed in order to determine their consistency with the standard safety items. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21, and t-test was used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance level was set at P&lt;0.05. Results Among the 15 items considered necessary according to the standard MSDSs, the item “necessary measures in case of possible leakage and spillage” had been least frequently stated in the assessed MSDSs. Also, the mean safety score of the materials with MSDSs was significantly higher compared with materials that had no MSDSs(P=0.0001). Conclusion Evaluation of the MSDSs of dental materials consumed in Kerman Dental School regarding the required standard items revealed that they did not meet the defined standard levels

Higher desirability in solving multiple response optimization problems with committee machine

Many industrial problems need to be optimized several responses simultaneously. These problems are named multiple response optimization (MRO) and they can have different objectives such as Target, Minimization or Maximization. Committee machine (CM) as a set of some experts such as some artificial neural networks (ANNs) in combination with genetic algorithm (GA) is applied for modeling and optimization of MRO problems. In addition, optimization usually is done on Global Desirability (GD) function. Current article is a development for recent authors' work to determine economic run number for application of CM and GA in MRO problem solving. This study includes a committee machine with four different ANNs. The CM weights are determined with GA which its fitness function is minimizing the RMSE. Then, another GA specifies the final solution with object maximizing the global desirability. This algorithm was implemented on five case studies and the results represent the algorithm can get higher global desirability by repeating the runs and economic run number (ERN) depends on the MRO problem objective. ERN is ten for objective “Target”. This number for objectives which are mixture of minimization and maximization ERN is five. The repetition are continued until these ERN values have considerable increased in maximum GD with respect to average value of GD. More repetition from these ERN to forty five numbers cause a slight raise in maximum GD

Comprehensive Forecasting of California's Energy Consumption: A Multi-Source and Sectoral Analysis Using ARIMA and ARIMAX Models

California's significant role as the second-largest consumer of energy in the United States underscores the importance of accurate energy consumption predictions. With a thriving industrial sector, a burgeoning population, and ambitious environmental goals, the state's energy landscape is dynamic and complex. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of California's energy consumption trends and provides detailed forecasting models for different energy sources and sectors. The study leverages ARIMA and ARIMAX models, considering both historical consumption data and exogenous variables. We address the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the limited data for 2022, highlighting the resilience of these models in the face of uncertainty. Our analysis reveals that while fossil fuels continue to dominate California's energy landscape, renewable energy sources, particularly solar and biomass, are experiencing substantial growth. Hydroelectric power, while sensitive to precipitation, remains a significant contributor to renewable energy consumption. Furthermore, we anticipate ongoing efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption. The forecasts for energy consumption by sector suggest continued growth in the commercial and residential sectors, reflecting California's expanding economy and population. In contrast, the industrial sector is expected to experience more moderate changes, while the transportation sector remains the largest energy consumer

Correlation of Critical Thinking Skills and Metacognitive Strategies with Information Literacy of Graduate Students

Introduction: Information literacy is a set of skills for identifying and accessing the right information resources, and the ability to use them purposefully and is a tool for individual empowerment, which is very important for students. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation of critical thinking skills and metacognitive strategies with information literacy of graduate students. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 274 graduate students of Arak University in 2012-13 academic year. Subjects were selected using stratified random sampling. Data collection tools were California Critical Thinking Skills Form B, metacognitive state questionnaire and a researcher-made information literacy questionnaire.  Cut-off point was set at 20 for critical thinking skills. The highest and lowest scores were 80 and 20 respectively in the metacognitive state questionnaire and for information literacy they were 145 and 29 respectively. Multiple linear regression and correlation were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean score of critical thinking skills was 21.46±7.12 and at a desirable level. The mean score of metacognitive strategies was 62.36±7.67. The mean score of information literacy was 96.72±15.19. No significant relationship was found between critical thinking skills and information literacy (p=0.924, r=0.006) and also between critical thinking skills and metacognitive strategies (p=0.883, r=-0.009).  However, there was a significant relationship between metacognitive strategies and information literacy (p=0.0001, r=0.431). Results of regression analysis showed that only metacognitive strategies was the fitted predictor of information literacy. Conclusion: As metacognitive strategies of students increase, so does their information literacy. It is therefore suggested to include metacognitive strategies training in higher education programs so that students will act as independent learners in self-learning processes

The Relationship Between Critical Thinking Skills with Mental Health and Academic Achievement of Qom University of Medical Sciences Students

Background and Objective: Critical thinking is one of the goals in higher education and a key element in students' mental health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between critical thinking skills with mental health and academic achievement of Qom University of Medical Sciences students. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive­-correlation study in 1394,a sample of 303students at Qom University of Medical Sciences were selected through stratified random sampling method with a view to gender.The data were collected through two standard questionnaires on critical thinking skills CCTST form(B) and mental health questionnaire of GHQ-28.Then the data were analyzed simultaneously using descriptive statistics methods, Pearson correlation and independent t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Students’ mean score of critical thinking skills was (9.16 ± 3.15) which was interpreted as under average. The results of Pearson correlation test showed that there was no significant relationship between critical thinking skills and mental health (P=0.702, r=0.039) and academic achievement (P=0.284, r=0.081).There was also no significant relationship between mental health and academic achievement (P=0.141, r=-0.150). According to independent t-test results, there was no significant difference between male and female students’ average scores in critical thinking skills and mental health. But there was a significant difference between male and female students in academic achievement. Finally multiple regression analysis revealed that mental health and academic achievement did not predict any critical thinking skills. Conclusion: Considering that strengthening critical thinking in students and enhancing learning methods can improve learning skills and factors affecting their learning Therefore, by modifying and providing appropriate educational practices, critical thinking of students can be enhanced

The relationship between critical thinking skills with creativity and academic achievement in students Qom University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Critical thinking improves students&rsquo; problem solving ability and is one of the main outputs of academic centers. It has an important role in medical sciences as the students studying these branches of science are getting ready to attend clinical work. Critical thinking helps to convey skills from class to clinic. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between critical thinking skills with creativity and academic achievement in students Qom University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this descriptive&shy;- correlation study was conducted on 303 students in Qom University of Medical Sciences were&nbsp; selected through stratified random sampling method with considering gender. Data were collected through two standard questionnaires on critical thinking skills CCTST form(B) and creativity Abedi. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods, Pearson correlation and independent t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The results of Pearson correlation test showed that there was significant positive relationship between critical thinking skills with creativity(P=0/000, r=0/267). But There was no a significant relationship between critical thinking skills with academic achievement(P=0/284, r=0/081) and creativity with academic achieveme (P=0/741, r=0/025). According to independent t-test results, there was no significant difference between male and female students&rsquo; average scores in critical thinking skills and creativity. But there was a significant difference between male and female students&rsquo; in academic achievement. Also multiple regression analysis revealed that only creativity predicted critical thinking skills significantly Conclusion: Critical thinking skills improving the process can improve students' creativity level. critical thinking skills affects creativity. Such relationship is increasingly important in students of medicine and health science