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Abstract Background Considering the importance of cognitive and motor functions of the elderly people, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive exergame, called Neurolight compared to computerized cognitive games, in enhancing core executive functions and motor performance. Methods A total of 36 individuals in the age range of 60 to 69 years were studied in the form of three groups: The control group continued their daily activities, while the Neurolight group underwent a cognitive-motor training and the Maghzineh performed a computer-based cognitive training program for 24 sessions. Before and after interventions, working memory, inhibitory control, and balance were measured respectively by the N-back, Stroop, and TUG tests. Results The results showed that cognitive-motor exercises using Neurolight, for 24 sessions, were able to significantly improve working memory, inhibitory control, and balance in individuals in this age group. Conclusion This finding supports the other studies suggesting combined cognitive and physical exercises for better effect. Based on its findings, the use of this exercise system can be suggested to coaches and therapists working with the elderly.

Healthcare fraud increases healthcare expenses for insurers, premiums for policyholders, and dissatisfaction of legitimate patients and causes severe damage to the health system. Therefore, it is critically important to address healthcare fraud detection. Most fraud detection models consider only claims data for analysis. Since committing healthcare fraud can include more than one party, i.e., healthcare providers, physicians, and patients, it is crucial to consider the relationship among them. In this paper, we propose a healthcare provider fraud detection model that applies the effect of the parties’ interdependencies on the claims data. It leverages a graph attention network for embedding the relationships and classifies samples using a feed-forward neural network. Our explicit contribution is using the latent information of the interdependency of claims’ parties to detect healthcare provider fraud more accurately. The information, along with other features, can identify complex patterns of fraud. We tested our approach on the healthcare provider fraud detection dataset and reached 0.56 recall compared to best available approaches such as GTN with 0.5 and XGBoost with 0.46 recall.

Background: Numerous Computed Tomography (CT) scan requests for trauma patients have raised serious concern about the impacts of radiation such as radiation-induced cancers.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the necessity rate of requested head CT scans for traumatic patients and to ultimately estimate the risk of radiation-induced brain cancer.Material and Methods: In this retrospective analytical study, traumatic patients, who had undergone a head CT scan in a two-month period from August 23 to October 22, 2018, were considered as the study population. Two radiologists reviewed each patient individually to evaluate the rate of normal and abnormal cases. Dose length product in milligrays (mGy) was utilized to calculate the effective dose (ED) in millisieverts (mSv), resulting in an assessment of the risk of radiation-induced brain cancer using ICRP 103.Results: Among 523 scans, 460 patients (88%) received normal reviews, while only 47 patients (9%) had findings related to their current trauma. The mean effective dose value was 1.05±0.36 mSv. Risk of the radiation induced brain cancer was calculated to be 0.037 and 0.030 new cancer cases in 10000 males and females per Gy, respectively. Conclusion: Final results demonstrated that a significant number of traumatic patients undergoing a CT scan are in fact, healthy. Such reckless usage of CT and consequently the excess exposure could result in a dramatic rise in cancer rates. The need to limit unnecessary CT scan usage and keeping the radiation given to patients as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) when collecting essential diagnostic data is more critical than ever.

Abstract Triangulation refers to the problem of finding a 3D point from its 2D projections on multiple images taken at different camera poses. For solving this problem, it is a common practice to use the so‐called optimal triangulation method. But, the method can be optimal only if we assume no uncertainty in the camera parameters. In this paper, an extensive comparison between various existing methods for the calibrated cameras is performed, in which different poses are considered. Furthermore, uncertainty sensitivity analysis is conducted for extrinsic parameters of cameras. The results show that the optimal triangulation method is actually not the best choice when there is uncertainty in extrinsic parameters. Interestingly, it can be observed that the simple midpoint method works equally well or outperforms the optimal triangulation and many other methods. Apart from its high performance, the midpoint method has a simple closed form solution for multiple views while the optimal triangulation method is hard to be used for more than two views. Therefore, in contrast to the common practice, we argue that the simple midpoint method can be a good choice in the structure‐from‐motion process where there is uncertainty in extrinsic camera parameters.

Abstract Background Several previous investigations have examined the brain-protective role of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet. However, more knowledge is needed about the MIND diet's other favorable impacts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the MIND diet, mental health, and metabolic markers in individuals with obesity. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we included 339 individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) aged 20–50 years. We utilized a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), we assessed dietary intake, including 168 food items, and calculated the value of MIND. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) guidelines. We assessed biochemical parameters using Enzymatic methods. Blood pressure and body composition were also determined. Results Higher tertiles of the MIND diet score were associated with significantly higher energy intake, macronutrients, and brain-healthy food intakes (P

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in the general and sports population. The prime objective of the current study was to compare the impact of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the visual sustained attention of ADHD student-athletes.Methods: In this study, among the 79 children diagnosed with ADHD, 45 students were randomly selected and divided into three 15-person Sham, control, and experimental groups. All subjects in the Sham and experimental groups received ten sessions of two different types of anodal and sham stimulations over the F3 area and cathode excitation over the Supraorbital (SO) area with 1 mA current for 15 minutes. After ten sessions, each group was re-examined. After 40 days, a follow-up test was performed according to the post-test using the Continuous Performance Test, Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance, and Paired Sample t-test was used to test statistical hypotheses (p≤0.05).Results: The results revealed that applying tDCS is effective in improving the visual sustained attention of ADHD student-athletes.Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that the protocol of applying 1 mA tDCS can improve the visual sustained attention of ADHD student-athletes.

21st century brought along a considerable decrease in social interactions, due to the newly emerged lifestyle around the world, which became more noticeable recently of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, children with autism spectrum disorder have further complications regarding their social interactions with other humans. In this paper, a fully Robotic Social Environment (RSE), designed to simulate the needed social environment for children, especially those with autism is described. An RSE can be used to simulate many social situations, such as affective interpersonal interactions, in which observational learning can take place. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed RSE, it has been tested on a group of children with autism, who had difficulties in emotion recognition, which in turn, can influence social interaction. An A-B-A single case study was designed to show how RSE can help children with autism recognize four basic facial expressions, i.e., happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, through observing the social interactions of two robots speaking about these facial expressions. The results showed that the emotion recognition skills of the participating children were improved. Furthermore, the results showed that the children could maintain and generalize their emotion recognition skills after the intervention period. In conclusion, the study shows that the proposed RSE, along with other rehabilitation methods, can be effective in improving the emotion recognition skills of children with autism and preparing them to enter human social environments.

In this paper, RF source localization in non-line of sight condition, using map of the obstacles is proposed. Received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and angle of arrival (AOA) measurements are observations which are obtained from received signal on the UAV. In the proposed approach, AOA are used to determine the obstacle on the map from which the reflection has happened. Then the RSSI information is used to determine the location of the RF source. In the basic version of approach, triangulation is used to determine the location of the RF source. In the advanced approach, the reflection angle is also estimated to improve the localization accuracy. The estimation is done using particle filter approach. In addition, it is shown analytically that the maximum localization error for the advanced approach is bounded but relative formation of the reflectors with respect to each other can increase the localization error for the basic approach.

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of digital storytelling on emotion regulation of children with autism. Research design was a quasi-experimental that included a pretest and posttest that was conducted on both the experimental group, and control group. The statistical population of the study included all children with autism spectrum in the Child-parent at a university clinic. For this purpose, 20 children with autism were selected and were assigned into two experimental and control groups randomly (each group 10 children). The experimental group received storytelling program for 12 sessions of 45 minutes and control group waited in the waiting list. All subjects completed Emotion Relation Checklist (Sheilds & Cicchetti, 1998) before and after the training. The obtained data were analyzed using Analysis of the Covariance. The findings showed significant differences between the experimental and the control group in emotion regulation. At the end, using digital storytelling program for improving emotion management was recommended.

The expansion of digital business is along with opportunities and challenges, one of the most important challenges is the negative information about the brands. Marketing managers task is to reinforce the resilience of customers towards this negative information. On the other hand, in the two last decades, most of research in field of brand personality and experience has focused on their definitions and traits and this study by concentrating on personality and experience created on digital environment tries to examine their effects on consumers’ actual behavior through mediating role of brand attitude and brand loyalty. Based on the hypothesis conceptual model of the research was designed and by using questionnaire 311 users of the service delivery applications were collected. After verifying the validity and reliability, the hypotheses were tested using SEM. The results showed that brand personality and online brand experience have direct effect on customers’ brand attitude and brand loyalty, which brand experience effect is more than brand personality. Also, the results confirm brand attitude and brand loyalty effect on customers' resilience to negative information. If a brand in online environment deliver a unique and desirable experience and attractive personality to consumers, it can have positive effect on consumers extra-role behavior in social media, these consumers will support and discuss positively of brand in social media. The results of research can be useful for managers and marketers who search for create and maintain long-term relationship with consumers.

Prior studies have shown the efficacy of computer-based cognitive training programs in improving cognitive and academic functions in children diagnosed with a specific learning disorder (SLD). However, these studies often focused on center-based approaches without considering the involvement of parents or the inclusion of home-based tasks in evaluating their effectiveness, which needs to be addressed. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a mixed cognitive training program in children with SLD. The program consisted of computer-based games combined with home-based activities involving parental participation. In this pilot study, a single-subject research design with an A-B-A analysis was employed to assess the effects of a mixed cognitive intervention program. Six children (aged 10-13 years) with SLD participated in ten intervention sessions and underwent six pre- and post-evaluation sessions over a six-eight-week period. Parent interviews conducted before and after the training program provided insights into parents' perceptions of these cognitive activities and their access, knowledge, and utilization of these types of digital devices. The utilization of computer-based interventions, followed by home-based tasks, demonstrated effectiveness in improving cognitive and academic functions, fostering parental involvement, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the program. After the intervention, all participants exhibited improvements in their cognitive and academic skills, the results indicated significant improvements in executive functions, including working memory, processing speed, attention, and academic functions, as assessed in the pre- and post-evaluation. While the parents' views regarding the effectiveness of the cognitive programs became more favorable. The utilization of computer-based interventions integrated with home-based tasks proved highly effective in enhancing cognitive and academic functions and promoting parental engagement and overall program efficacy. The participants displayed noticeable advancements in cognitive and academic skills, with parents' perceptions of the program's effectiveness improving. Furthermore, the study revealed significant enhancements in executive functions, such as working memory, processing speed, attention, and academic performance, as evidenced by pre-post evaluations. This comprehensive approach underscores the potential of a mixed intervention approach in both centers (clinics and families) to holistically enhance cognitive development and academic performance in children.

The increase in the number of children with autism and the importance of early autism intervention has prompted researchers to perform automatic and early autism screening. Consequently, in the present paper, a cry-based screening approach for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is introduced which would provide both early and automatic screening. During the study, we realized that ASD specific features are not necessarily observable in all children with ASD and in all instances collected from each child. Therefore, we proposed a new classification approach to be able to determine such features and their corresponding instances. To test the proposed approach a set of data relating to children between 18 to 53 months which had been recorded using high-quality voice recording devices and typical smartphones at various locations such as homes and daycares was studied. Then, after preprocessing, the approach was used to train a classifier, using data for 10 boys with ASD and 10 Typically Developed (TD) boys. The trained classifier was tested on the data of 14 boys and 7 girls with ASD and 14 TD boys and 7 TD girls. The sensitivity, specificity, and precision of the proposed approach for boys were 85.71%, 100%, and 92.85%, respectively. These measures were 71.42%, 100%, and 85.71% for girls, respectively. It was shown that the proposed approach outperforms the common classification methods. Furthermore, it demonstrated better results than the studies which used voice features for screening ASD. To pilot the practicality of the proposed approach for early autism screening, the trained classifier was tested on 57 participants between 10 to 18 months. These 57 participants consisted of 28 boys and 29 girls and the results were very encouraging for the use of the approach in early ASD screening.

IntroductionCognitive deficits are frequent after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and consequently could lead to a decrease in quality of life. This is the first study that has been conducted with the aim of examining the efficacy of a computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CCRT) in improving quality of life in patients after CABG surgery.MethodsIn this study, an interventional trial with pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments in active (CCRT), active control and control groups was conducted. Seventy-five patients after CABG surgery were selected and assigned to the groups (n = 25 for each group). CCRT consists of four modules of attention, working memory, response inhibition and processing speed training with graded schedule in 20-min sessions three times per week within 8 weeks. Cognitive functions (attention and working memory) were assessed by the tests of continuous performance, Flanker, useful field of view and digit span at three time points: pre- and post-intervention (T0 and T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2). Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire at the same time points. The CCRT group received the cognitive rehabilitation for 2 months, active control group received a sham version of CCRT in an equal time duration and control group did not receive any cognitive intervention.ResultsRepeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a time by group interaction on cognitive functions, with CCRT producing a significant improvement at T1 (p < 0.01) and these improvements were maintained at T2. Moreover, in CCRT and active control groups, quality of life (QoL) improved at T1 and these improvements remained stable throughout follow-up (T2). However, improvement of QoL in CCRT group was greater than improvement of QoL in the other two groups at T1. Pearson’s correlation analysis shows a positive correlation between QoL improvement and sustained attention and working memory enhancement (p < 0.05).ConclusionCognitive rehabilitation can lead to a significant improvement in the cognitive functions that have been trained in patients receiving CABG. Interestingly enough, cognitive rehabilitation can also improve quality of life in patients after CABG surgery and this improvement is maintained for at least 6 months.

Objectives: The purpose of current study was to study and compare the musculoskeletal profile of the elderly with and without the history of falling living at nursing homes in Rasht, Iran. Methods & Materials: A total of 54 elderly men and women, aged 60 years and older participated in this study. Of them, 16 (fall group) experienced a fall in the previous year [Mean(SD) of age: 79(9.90) years; height: 1.51(0.103) m; and weight: 60.03(11.12) kg] and 38 (no fall group) had no history of falling [Mean(SD) of age: 70.16(8.16) years; height: 1.56(0.11) m; and weight 65.6(14.93) kg]. The foot arch, distance between femoral condyles, kyphosis, lordosis, flexibility and the ability to walk were measured by ruler, caliper, flexible ruler, sit and reach test, and functional gait assessment questionnaires, respectively. Data analysis was done through independent t-test using SPSS. Study significance level was set at 0.05. Results: In the fall group the mean(SD) of measured variables were as follows: body mass index (BMI): 25.95(3.35) kg/m2; foot arch: 9.94(4.34) mm; flexibility: 8.25(6.38) cm, lordosis: 20.86(9.48) degree; kyphosis: 35.07(14.98) degree. And in no fall group, the same variables were as follows: BMI: 26.87(5.12) kg/m2; foot arch: 10.95(5.60) mm; flexibility: 8.16(5.24) cm; lordosis 26.66(14.78) degree; and kyphosis: 41.11(9.84) degree. These variables were not significantly different between the groups; however, the functional gait assessment and distance between femoral condyles test showed significant differences. In the group with a history of fall, the functional gait assessment and distance between femoral condyles were 12.50(7.07) and 2.74(2.38) cm and in the group without a history of fall functional gait assessment and distance between femoral condyles were 23.63(5.49) and 1.20(1.4) cm, respectively. According to the results, in the fall group, the distance between femoral condyles was more and the performance level was less (P≤0.05). Conclusion: Results showed that none of the variables of foot arch, flexibility, lordosis, and kyphosis were significantly different between 2 groups and were not risk factors for falling among older people. While the distance between femoral condyles and functional gait assessment in 2 groups were significantly different. It seems that functional gait assessment test and the distance between two condyles were the best indexes for the distinction between 2 groups. Perhaps, this method can be used as an appropriate way for predicting and consequently preventing the elderly from falling.

Mental rotation is the ability to imagine how an object will look if rotated away from the orientation in comparison with the one which is actually presented. That is a component of spatial abilities. This research aimed at comparing mental rotation ability in those with motor and cognitive experiences. The method of this research was causal-comparative and the sample was selected purposively. The sample included 60 boys with a mean age of 17.17 years (motor experience = 20 subjects in wrestling group, cognitive experience = 20 subjects in computer game group and without motor and cognitive experiences (control) = 20 subjects). Peters et al. Mental Rotation Test (version A) (1995) was used to compare mental rotation. The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed a significant difference between the control group and wrestling group and also between the control group and PC game group (P≤0.01). There was no significant difference between wrestling and PC game groups in mental rotation (P>0.05). These findings indicated the positive effects of motor and cognitive experiences on cognitive development (mental rotation).

This paper presents an empirical investigation to study the effects of different factors influencing empowering employees in banking industry. The proposed study designs a questionnaire in Likert scale, which contains three components of individual, job related and organizational related factors. Cronbach alpha is calculated as 0.88, which is well above the minimum acceptable level of 0.7. Using stepwise regression analysis, the study has detected a positive and meaningful relationship between employee performance and three individual, job related and organizational issues. In addition, the implementation of Freedman test indicates that organizational based factors were number one priority on employee performance followed by job related factors and individual factors.

Purpose: The objective of this research is to identify and prioritize barriers and problems young adults face using services of public libraries in Semnan. Method: This applied study is descriptive. This research focuses on the youth generation between the age of 17 and 40 in Semnan. Simple Random Sampling is used. 450 questionnaires were distributed of which 389 were returned and used. In addition to descriptive statistics AHP technique was used to prioritize barriers. Findings: The most important obstacle was “lack of enough books for young people “ the other factors such as : “ failing to update references materials” , “lack of motivation and time to study “and “ lack of proper physical condition of libraries” were in the other orders respectively. Originality/value: The results of this research can help libraries in removing barriers and creating favorable conditions to attract the youth to libraries.

Abstract The main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of country of origin image on consumer based brand equity formation. Moreover, the second aim of this research is to examine the moderating role of product related consumer intellectual involvement. For these purposes, a conceptual framework has been designed and relationships among its constructs (i.e. country of origin image, brand equity dimensions and overall brand equity) have been hypothesized. Data has been collected using questionnaire from 602 college students who were the owners of the selected brands of laptop and mobile phone. Hypotheses have been investigated by regression and subgroup correlation analysis. Findings of exploratory factor analysis denote three factors of brand loyalty, perceived quality and brand association/awareness as brand equity dimensions. Findings have confirmed that country of origin image has direct and significant influence on brand equity dimensions and overall brand equity. Also, moderating effect of product related consumer intellectual involvement on the relationship between country of origin image and brand loyalty has been confirmed. This paper is important since it not only facilitates identifying the factors influencing brand equity formation, but also underlines the influence of product related consumer intellectual involvement from the viewpoint of Iranian consumers.

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most prevalent knee disorder. In fact, one in every four knee patients suffers from this syndrom. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of kinesiotape and strength training on knee pain and quadriceps strength in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methods: Thirty one male patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, with a mean age of 25 ± 1 year, a mean height of 173.6 ± 6.15 cm, and a mean weight of 71.25 ± 7.1 kg, were randomly assigned into three groups of kinesiotape, exercise, and combined kinesiotape-exercise. All groups underwent six weeks of intervention. Pre- and post-tests were administered. A visual analogue scale and the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer were used to measure pain and strength of the knee muscles, respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The significance level was considered as α = 0.05. Findings: After six weeks of intervention, significant pain reductions were observed in the kinesiotape, and combined kinesiotape-exercise groups (P ˂ 0.05). However, mean of maximum quadriceps muscle torque improved significantly only in the combined kinesiotape-exercise group (P ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that taping significantly reduced pain. It could be concluded that using kinesiotape increased the contact surface between patella and intercondylar groove and decreased pressure which in turn improved pain.