Computational analysis of magnetohydrodynamic natural convection in a square cavity with a thin fin

A numerical study of laminar natural convection in a square cavity with a thin fin that is under the influence of a uniform magnetic field is presented. The side walls of the cavity are kept at different temperatures and the horizontal walls are thermally insulated. An Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) approach and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach are developed, trained and validated using the results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The effects of pertinent parameters on fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are studied. Among these parameters are the Rayleigh number (103≤≤;106), the Hartmann number (0≤&Ha;≤;100), the position of the thin fin (0.1≤ Y p≤) and the length of the thin fin (0≤Lp≤0.8). The results show that ANFIS and ANN can successfully predict the fluid flow and heat transfer behaviour within the cavity in less time without compromising accuracy. In most cases, ANFIS can predict the results more accurately than ANN

Evaluation of perfectionism and its relationship with hardiness and mental health in students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: perfectionism has both positive and negative dimensions. Each dimension is associated with different aspects of human psychology. The present study aimed to investigate perfectionism and its relationship with hardiness and mental health in students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which aimed to evaluate perfectionism (positive and negative) and its relationship with hardiness and mental health in students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The statistical population consisted of 200 students. Data collection tools were three questionnaires or perfectionism, hardiness and mental health. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tests (frequency, mean and standard deviation), SPSS 11, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and nonparametric tests at p<0.05 significance level.Findings: the results showed a significant correlation between positive perfectionism and hardiness (r = 0.3 and p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between scores of perfectionism (positive and negative), mental health and hardiness based on field of study of the students.Conclusion: it is recommended to implement useful programs in order to strengthen positive perfectionism among students.Keywords: perfectionism, hardiness, mental health, medical student

Molecular assessment of clarithromycin resistant Helicobacter pylori strains using rapid and accurate PCR-RFLP method in gastric specimens in Iran

Currently, a seven-day, triple-drug regimen has been recommended as one of the first-line therapies for Helicobacter pylori management in which clarithromycin is a key component. Development of clarithromycin resistance leads to the long term assessment of the efficacy of clarithromycin in the triple-drug regimen. The aim of this study was to rapidly and directly assess clarithromycin resistance point mutations on gastric biopsy specimens by using PCR-RFLP method. Biopsy samples were obtained over a 6-months period of 2009, from 200 dyspeptic patients referred to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Initially, rapid urease test was performed and then DNA was isolated from each tissue and used for molecular analysis such as PCR (for H. pylori diagnostic) and PCR-RFLP (for Cla resistance determination). RUT and PCR results showed that 164 (82%) of the patients were H. pylori-positive. Resistance was evaluated in 164 samples by using enzymes BsaI and MboII. Thirty nine (39) (23/78%) clarithromycin-resistant strains were detected which were identified as 15 (9.15%) A2143G, 15 (9.15%) A2142G and 9 (5.49%) mix strains. The results showed that PCR-RFLP method had a high accuracy to detect A2142G and A2143G mutations associated with resistance to clarithromycin in the minimum possible time.Key words: Helicobacter pylori, clarithromycin resistance, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Electric Switching of the Charge-Density-Wave and Normal Metallic Phases in Tantalum Disulfide Thin-Film Devices

We report on switching among three charge-density-wave phases - commensurate, nearly commensurate, incommensurate - and the high-temperature normal metallic phase in thin-film 1T-TaS2 devices induced by application of an in-plane electric field. The electric switching among all phases has been achieved over a wide temperature range, from 77 K to 400 K. The low-frequency electronic noise spectroscopy has been used as an effective tool for monitoring the transitions, particularly the switching from the incommensurate charge-density-wave phase to the normal metal phase. The noise spectral density exhibits sharp increases at the phase transition points, which correspond to the step-like changes in resistivity. Assignment of the phases is consistent with low-field resistivity measurements over the temperature range from 77 K to 600 K. Analysis of the experimental data and calculations of heat dissipation suggest that Joule heating plays a dominant role in the electric-field induced transitions in the tested 1T-TaS2 devices on Si/SiO2 substrates. The possibility of electrical switching among four different phases of 1T-TaS2 is a promising step toward nanoscale device applications. The results also demonstrate the potential of noise spectroscopy for investigating and identifying phase transitions in materials.Comment: 32 pages, 7 figure

Exploring the convergence between religious beliefs with psychological distress in medical students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2014

Introduction: The main purpose of psychological health is to prevent worries and to maintain psychological health. Strengthening religious beliefs at all stages of life is a preventive action in order to reduce psychological disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the consistency between the religious beliefs and psychological distress in medical students in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences.Method: This analytical study was carried out on 751 students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data collection was performed by religious beliefs questionnaire and psychological distress questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics.Results: Results showed that there was no significant consistency between religious attitudes of students with severity indicators of psychological distress, stress (0.128), anxiety (0.726) and depression (0.128).Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that there was an inverse relationship between religious attitudes of students with psychological distress.As a result, it is suggested that a spirituality-based care program can reduce the students’ psychological distress.Keywords: Religious beliefs, psychological distress, medical student

Chronic effects of hydro-alcoholic artemisia absinthium extract on the liver enzymes and tissue changes of adult mal rat

Artemisia absinthium has many pharmacological effects, but toxic effects of it, were seen on nervous system and liver. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic effects of different doses of Artemisia absinthium extract on the enzymes and histopathological changes of the liver tissue of adult normal male rat. Method and materials: In this experimental study, forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 as follows: Control, sham (recipient of distilled water) and 4 experimental groups that received Artemisia absinthium hydro- alcoholic extract at doses of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg intraperitoneally.The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan post hoc tests. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After 8 weeks, doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg could significantly reduce amount of ALT, AST and ALP. Dose of 1000 mg/kg increased ALT, AST and ALP. From the standpoint of histopathological study, doses of 125, 250 and 500 Artemisia absinthium had no significant side effect on liver tissue, but 1000 mg/kg caused destruction of liver cell membranes, enlargement of sinusoidal space, sporadic leukocyte infiltration, Kupffer cells hypertrophy, and vascular congestion.Conclusion: Maximum dose of Artemisia absinthium extract (1000 mg/kg) increased liver enzymes and destroy liver tissues of normal male rats.Keywords: Artemisia Absinthium, Enzymes, Histopathology, Liver, Ra