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Background: Ensuring consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for effective HIV treatment and achieving viral suppression. Within prisons, the prevalence of HIV is notably high, and incarcerated individuals face an increased risk of transmitting the virus both during and after incarceration. However, facilitators and barriers to ART adherence among these individuals in low- and middle-income countries remain inadequately explored. This study applied the Social Ecological Model (SEM) to investigate how various individual, interpersonal, organizational, community and policy-level factors impact ART adherence among incarcerated populations in Iran during and post-incarceration. Methods: This study employed a phenomenological qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews to gather insights. The research population consisted of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who had experienced incarceration and had been prescribed ART during their latest incarceration. Eleven PLHIV from two prisons located in Kerman and Tehran, Iran, formed the study group. Qualitative findings from the interviews were analyzed using a thematic approach. The findings were organized within the SEM framework to highlight key themes influencing ART adherence during and after incarceration. Results: Participants had an average age of 45.1 years (± 5.6). Various factors influence ART adherence during and post-incarceration. Participants highlighted the individual (e.g., HIV knowledge, previous treatment history, mental and physical health), interpersonal (e.g., family, friends, other incarcerated people, and prison health staff), organizational (e.g., ART treatment interventions, methadone maintenance therapy, and other health protocols), community (e.g., stigma, social isolation, discrimination and lack of access to community health services), and policy (e.g., financial interventions, and providing shelters) level factors influence ART adherence during and post-incarceration. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the multi-level approach to ART adherence among PLHIV during and post-incarceration. It recommends implementing public health activities at the proposed multi-levels to maximize the synergies of intervention for the greatest impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Versatile Video Coding (VVC) shows better performance by combining various functions and features for the high dynamic range, and better spatial resolution achieving better bit rate savings than the existing video coding models. Although the VVC maintains better quality compressed video utilizing extra encoding functions, the VVC is still in the operation of continuous enhancement, and the experts are continuously suggesting new technologies to enhance the VVC's coding performance. In addition, the traditional mechanisms utilize more resources and the encoding time to perform the task. Since the conventional models are normally complex and the parameter's amount is highly large, it is needed to develop a lightweight model for VVC. Hence, a new mechanism is suggested in this work for video compression and bit rate minimization based on VVC by influencing deep learning models. At first, by employing the Motion Vector (MV) encoder-decoder task, the motion is measured in the suggested work. Moreover, with the assistance of this MV, the frame reformation is carried out to conduct the motion compensation. The compression process is performed and the residual images are achieved by adopting the Vision Transformer-based Adaptive Residual Attention DenseNet (ViT-ARADNet), where the parameters included in this network are optimally tuned by the Random Value Enhanced Pelican Optimization (RVEPO). Further, the bit rate of the residual image is determined by the entropy coding in the presented work's training phase. Subsequently, the video quality assessment metrics such as Visual Information Fidelity (VIF) and predicted Differential Mean Opinion Score (DMOSp) are measured to enrich the model functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, ZnO, CuO, and CuO-ZnO nanomaterials have been synthesized via green and facile route using Argyreia nervosa leaf extract. The structural, morphological, optical, chemical, and textural characteristics of as-synthesized nanostructures were investigated using different techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD); field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM); transmission electron microscopy (TEM);UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET)/Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH); and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results obtained from the characterization study showed that the ZnO, CuO, and CuO-ZnO were successfully synthesized using the leaf extract of A. nervosa. The results exhibited the homogeneously growth of CuO particles on the surface of ZnO particles in a spherical-like shapes. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the synthesized nanostructures was investigated adopting Rhodamine B dye as an aqueous polluted model. The results have shown that the CuO-ZnO (10%) nanocomposite was the most efficient photocatalyst compared to other samples. The factors affecting the photodegradation process such as the effect of irradiation time (0–180 min), photocatalyst dose (0.4–1.4 g/L), initial RhB concentration (5–20 ppm), and the solution pH (3–11) were tested. The maximum photocatalytic degradation efficiency achieved was 90.25%. Additionally, reuse experiments proved that the CuO-ZnO (10%) photocatalyst retained 72.8% of its initial efficiency after recycling for five cycles. Finally, the results revealed that the most reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for the degradation of RhB are hydroxyl radicals (•OH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is a significant health issue in developed countries, often stemming from conditions like hypertension, which imposes a pressure overload on the heart. Despite various treatment strategies for heart failure, many lack long-term effectiveness. A critical aspect of cardiac disease is the remodeling of the heart, where compensatory changes in the extracellular matrix exacerbate disease progression. This review explores the processes and changes occurring in the pressure-overloaded heart with respect to the extracellular matrix. It further summarizes current treatment strategies, and then focuses on novel treatment targets for maladaptive cardiac remodeling, derived from transverse aortic constriction-induced pressure overload animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is constructed on a whale's bubble-net scavenging pattern and emulates encompassing prey, bubble-net devouring prey, and stochastic capturing for prey to establish the global optimal values. Nevertheless, the WOA has multiple deficiencies, such as restricted precision, sluggish convergence acceleration, insufficient population variety, easy premature convergence, and restricted operational efficiency. The sine cosine algorithm (SCA) constructed on the oscillation attributes of the cosine and sine coefficients in mathematics is a stochastic optimization methodology. The SCA upgrades population variety, amplifies the search region, and accelerates international investigation and regional extraction. Therefore, a hybrid nonlinear WOA with SCA (SCWOA) is emphasized to estimate benchmark functions and engineering designs, and the ultimate intention is to investigate reasonable solutions. Compared with other algorithms, such as BA, CapSA, MFO, MVO, SAO, MDWA, and WOA, SCWOA exemplifies a superior convergence effectiveness and greater computation profitability. The experimental results emphasize that the SCWOA not only integrates investigation and extraction to avoid premature convergence and realize the most appropriate solution but also exhibits superiority and practicability to locate greater computation precision and faster convergence speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of the Fe2O3–CuO–CuFe2O4 nanocomposite was effectively achieved through the sol–gel technique, utilizing ethanol as a reactive fuel. Investigation of the nanocomposite's structure via X-ray Diffraction confirmed the coexistence of Fe2O3, CuO, and CuFe2O4 phases within the material. The Scherrer equation was applied to determine an average crystallite size ranging from 60 to 95 nm. UV–visible spectroscopy studies suggested the material possesses an approximate energy bandgap of 4 eV. Scanning Electron Microscopy provided insights into the nanocomposite's surface morphology, which exhibited a porous and heterogeneous aggregation of particles in various sizes and shapes. When tested for antibacterial efficacy, the nanocomposite exhibited activity against gram-positive S. aureus with a maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) measuring 9 mm at the highest concentration, whereas no inhibitory effect was detected against gram-negative E.coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimization is a method which is used in every field, such as engineering, space, finance, fashion market, mass communication, travelling, and also in our daily activities. In every field, everyone always wants to minimize or maximize something called the objective function. Traditional and modern optimization techniques or Meta-Heuristic (MH) optimization techniques are used to solve the objective functions. But the traditional optimization techniques fail to solve the complex and real-world optimization problem consisting of non-linear objective functions. So many modern optimization techniques have been proposed exponentially over the last few decades to overcome these challenges. This paper discusses a brief review of the different benchmark test functions (BTFs) related to existing MH optimization algorithms (OA). It discusses the classification of MH algorithms reported in the literature regarding swarm-based, human-based, physics-based, and evolutionary-based methods. Based on the last half-century literature, MH-OAs are tabulated in terms of the proposed year, author, and inspiration agent. Furthermore, this paper presents the MATLAB and python code web-link of MH-OA. After reading this review article, readers will be able to use MH-OA to solve challenges in their field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accounting standard for agriculture was introduced to harmonize the accounting procedures of entities engaged in agricultural production. This accounting standard for agriculture specifies the accounting treatment for biological assets and their biological transformation as well as how it must be reflected in the financial statement. However, there has been little awareness of applying the standard, especially in the agritourism industry. Agritourism is a young industry in the Philippines and is seen as a profitable revenue-generating investment. Therefore, education on financial management and recordkeeping must be given importance. This study assessed the accounting practices of selected agritourism farms in Region IV-A, Philippines, in accordance with the Accounting Standard for Agriculture, 41. The International Accounting Standard 41 and Philippine Accounting Standard 41 cover the recognition and measurements of biological assets and the presentation and disclosure of biological transformation. Interviews were conducted with 17 farms and their financial records were reviewed. The results show that most farms do not recognize and measure their biological assets per accounting standards. The recognition and measurement of biological assets are based on their current practices and are not influenced by the provision of the standards. Moreover, the type of business registration, i.e., corporation or sole proprietorship, affects the accounting practice of the farm. Their records do not accurately reflect the presentation and disclosure of biological assets and biological transformation. Thus, it is recommended that training, seminars, and workshops on IAS/PAS 41 must be conducted, and an application guideline must be developed to improve the accounting practices of agritourism farms and their compliance with the accounting standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how signers make lists. One way is to use the fingers on the signer's nondominant hand to enumerate items on a list. The signer points to these list-fingers with the dominant hand. Previous analyses considered lists to be nondominant, one-handed signs, and thus were called list buoys because the nondominant hand often remains in place during the production of the list. The pointing hand was largely ignored as a nonlinguistic gesture. We take a constructional approach based on Cognitive Grammar. In our approach, we analyze lists as a type of pointing construction consisting of two meaningful components: a pointing device (the pointing hand) used to direct attention; and a Place, also consisting of form and a meaning. Using data from Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) and Finland–Swedish Sign Language (FinSSL), we examine the semantic role of each component, showing how the nondominant list-fingers identify and track discourse referents, and how the pointing hand is used to create higher-order entities by grouping list-fingers. We also examine the integration of list constructions and their components with other conventional constructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of acceptance and commitment-based treatment on empathy and interpersonal relationships in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental research design, utilizing a pre-test, post-test with a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder seeking treatment in psychiatric clinics in Tehran in 2022. A total of 30 participants (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group) were selected through the accessible sampling method. Data collection tools included the Basic Empathy Scale ((Heinke & Louis, 2009)) and Trust in Close Relationships (Rempel & Holmes, 1986). The intervention, which involved acceptance and commitment-based treatment, was administered over 8 sessions of 90 minutes each, once a week, to the experimental group, while the control group did not receive any training. Data analysis was performed using covariance analysis. Results: The results of multivariate covariance analysis indicated that in the experimental group, there was a significant increase in the mean of empathy scores after the intervention. Similarly, the mean of scores for interpersonal relationships increased after the intervention (P<0.01). Conclusions: The results generally endorse the efficacy of third wave psychotherapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in relation to emotional and interpersonal consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article provides an in-depth analysis of the growing field of AI-assisted programming tasks, specifically focusing on the use of code embeddings and transformers. With the increasing complexity and scale of software development, traditional programming methods are becoming more time-consuming and error-prone. As a result, researchers have turned to the application of artificial intelligence to assist with various programming tasks, including code completion, bug detection, and code summarization. The utilization of artificial intelligence for programming tasks has garnered significant attention in recent times, with numerous approaches adopting code embeddings or transformer technologies as their foundation. While these technologies are popular in this field today, a rigorous discussion, analysis, and comparison of their abilities to cover AI-assisted programming tasks is still lacking. This article discusses the role of code embeddings and transformers in enhancing the performance of AI-assisted programming tasks, highlighting their capabilities, limitations, and future potential in an attempt to outline a future roadmap for these specific technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the textile industry contributes to pollution through accidental discharges or discharge of contaminated wastewater into waterways, significantly affecting water quality. These pollutants, including dye molecules, are environmental hazards for aquatic and terrestrial life. The field of visible light-mediated photocatalysis has experienced rapid growth, driven by the utilization of photocatalysts that can absorb low-energy visible light and effectively degrade dyes. In the present study, we report a simple method to controllably synthesize Fe2O3, ZnO, and ZnFe2O4 using the one-pot synthesis method. In the subsequent step, copper (Cu) was deposited on the surface of ZnFe2O4 (forming ZnFe2O4-Cu) using a facile, green, and cost-effective method. The synthesized samples were characterized using various techniques, including XRD, UV-Vis DRS, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, HR-TEM, XPS, PL, and BET analysis. These techniques were employed to investigate the composition, morphology, structure, and photophysical properties of as-prepared samples. The ZnFe2O4-Cu nanocomposite demonstrated efficient photocatalytic activity for degrading RhB dye pollutants under visible light. The photocatalyst was successfully reused for three consecutive cycles without significantly decreasing performance. Furthermore, during the study, the radical scavenging test emphasized the role of different radicals in the degradation of dye pollutants. This research has the potential to enable the efficient production of high-performance photocatalysts that can rapidly eliminate ecologically harmful dyes from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the comparative effectiveness of enhanced cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (ECBCT) on emotional self-regulation and couple burnout in incompatible couples. The study hypothesizes that ECBCT is efficacious in emotional self-regulation and marital burnout of incompatible Iranian couples (self-assigned and court-referred) visiting counseling centers. Twenty-eight Iranian couples were divided into four groups (two self-assigned and court-referred experimental groups and two self-assigned and court-referred control groups) who were selected using the available sampling. The experimental groups were subjected to ECBCT, while the control groups received no therapy. Over time, there was an improvement in emotional self-regulation and marital burnout in experimental groups compared with control groups. This intervention was more efficacious for the self-assigned couples of the experimental group according to the Eta coefficient, which was 71 for emotional self-regulation and 66 for marital burnout. ECBCT helps couples improve their emotional self-regulation and couple burnout., (© 2024 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.)

In this paper, tri-phase Fe2O3–MgO–CuO nanocomposites (NCs) and pure CuO, Fe2O3 and MgO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using sol–gel technique. The physical properties of the prepared products were examined using SEM, XRD, and UV–visible. The XRD data indicated the formation of pure CuO, Fe2O3 and MgO NPs, as well as nanocomposite formation with Fe2O3 (cubic), MgO (cubic), and CuO (monoclinic). The crystallite size of all the prepared samples was calculated via Scherrer's formula. The energy bandgap of CuO, Fe2O3 and MgO and Fe2O3–MgO–CuO NCs were computed from UV–visible spectroscopy as following 2.13, 2.29, 5.43 and 2.96 eV, respectively. The results showed that Fe2O3–MgO–CuO NCs is an alternative material for a wide range of applications as optoelectronics devices due to their outstanding properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Investigating the temporal variations and forecasting the trends in drug-related deaths can help prevent health problems and develop intervention programs. The recent policy in Iran is strongly focused on deterring drug use and replacing illicit drugs with legal ones. This study aimed to investigate drug-related deaths in Iran in 2014-2016 and forecast the death toll by 2019. Methods: In this longitudinal study, Box-Jenkins time series analysis was used to forecast drug-related deaths. To this end, monthly counts of drug-related deaths were obtained from March 2014 to March 2017. After data processing, to obtain stationary time series and examine the stability assumption with the Dickey-Fuller test, the parameters of the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA) model were determined using autocorrelation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) graphs. Based on Akaike statistics, ARIMA (0, 1, 1) was selected as the best-fit model. Moreover, the Dickey-Fuller test was used to confirm the stationarity of the time series of transformed observations. The forecasts were made for the next 36 months using the ARIMA (0,1,2) model and the same confidence intervals were applied to all months. The final extracted data were analyzed using R software, Minitab, and SPSS-23. Findings: According to the Iranian Ministry of Health and the Legal Medicine Organization, there were 8883 drug-related deaths in Iran from March 2014 to March 2017. According to the time series findings, this count had an upward trend and did not show any seasonal pattern. It was forecasted that the mean drug-related mortality rate in Iran would be 245.8 cases per month until 2019. Conclusion: This study showed a rising trend in drug-related mortality rates during the study period, and the modeling process for forecasting suggested this trend would continue until 2019 if proper interventions were not instituted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People respond faster to smaller numbers in their left space and to larger numbers in their right space. Here we argue that movements in space contribute to the formation of spatial-numerical associations (SNAs). We studied the impact of continuous isometric forces along the horizontal or vertical cardinal axes on SNAs while participants performed random number production and arithmetic verification tasks. Our results suggest that such isometric directional force do not suffice to induce SNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interdisciplinary investigations of the human mind through the cognitive sciences have identified a key role of the body in representing knowledge. After characterizing knowledge at grounded, embodied, and situated levels, number knowledge is analyzed from this hierarchical perspective. Lateralized cortical processing of coarse versus fine detail is identified as a grounding substrate for the population stereotype few/left, many/right, which then contributes to number-related sensory and motor biases at the embodied and situated levels. Implications of this perspective for education and rehabilitation are discussed., (© 2024 The Author(s). Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The New York Academy of Sciences.)

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol (rZOE) incorporated with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)., Methods: The pastes of rZOE alone or mixed with AgNPs at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5% of weight were prepared. In vitro antimicrobial activity of prepared materials against Streptococcus (S.) mutans and Lactobacillus (L.) acidophilus were evaluated after 2, 4, and 6 h of contact times using direct contact test (DCT) and also following 24 h incubation by well-diffusion test (WDT). The cytotoxicity of the tested materials on human dental pulp stem cells was also determined by MTT assay., Results: The DCT demonstrated that the time-dependent reductions of the colony numbers of both bacteria by three different concentrations of AgNPs incorporated into rZOE were equal but steeper than the rZOE alone (P < 0.05). The increases in growth inhibition zones of S. mutans and L. acidophilus were associated with the increasing concentration of AgNPs mixed with rZOE in the WDT; however, statistical analysis did not show any significant differences (P = 0.092). The MTT assay revealed a significantly lower percentage of cell viability after 1 day of culture only with the rZOE + AgNP5% in comparison to the rZOE alone (P = 0.011) and the control medium (P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Since the antimicrobial activities of three different concentrations of AgNPs incorporated into rZOE were equal and AgNPs had lower toxicity at lower concentrations, using AgNPs at 1% concentration is suggested to be mixed with rZOE., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.)

Finger-based representation of numbers is a high-level cognitive strategy to assist numerical and arithmetic processing in children and adults. It is unclear whether this paradigm builds on simple perceptual features or comprises several attributes through embodiment. Here we describe the development and initial testing of an experimental setup to study embodiment during a finger-based numerical task using Virtual Reality (VR) and a low-cost tactile stimulator that is easy to build. Using VR allows us to create new ways to study finger-based numerical representation using a virtual hand that can be manipulated in ways our hand cannot, such as decoupling tactile and visual stimuli. The goal is to present a new methodology that can allow researchers to study embodiment through this new approach, maybe shedding new light on the cognitive strategy behind the finger-based representation of numbers. In this case, a critical methodological requirement is delivering precisely targeted sensory stimuli to specific effectors while simultaneously recording their behavior and engaging the participant in a simulated experience. We tested the device's capability by stimulating users in different experimental configurations. Results indicate that our device delivers reliable tactile stimulation to all fingers of a participant's hand without losing motion tracking quality during an ongoing task. This is reflected by an accuracy of over 95% in participants detecting stimulation of a single finger or multiple fingers in sequential stimulation as indicated by experiments with sixteen participants. We discuss possible application scenarios, explain how to apply our methodology to study the embodiment of finger-based numerical representations and other high-level cognitive functions, and discuss potential further developments of the device based on the data obtained in our testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Professional commitment is an important factor in employee performance. COVID-19 outbreak has seriously affected the nurses working conditions. Numerous factors can affect nurses' professional commitment in this situation. Aim: To explore the nurses' lived experiences, attitudes, views and perceptions toward professional commitment and factors affecting it in the Covid-19 crisis. Method, Setting and Participants: This qualitative study was conducted using phenomenological approach and content analysis method. Twenty-five nurses were interviewed using semi structured in-depth interviews. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze collected data. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Results: Five themes were extracted as follows: "Collaborative empathetic commitment", "Loyal commitment", "Sacrificial commitment", "Commitment with doubt and concern" and "humanistic commitment". Discussion and Conclusion: The Covid-19 crisis has caused major changes in nurses' working conditions, which have also affected the concept of professional commitment to the nursing profession and revealed new concepts. Identifying internal and external factors that can enhance nurses' commitment to the profession in critical situations such as the Covid-19 outback is of particular importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the cognitive process of transforming one representation of mathematical entities into another representation. This process, which has been called mathematical metaphor, allows us to understand and embody a difficult-to-understand mathematical entity in terms of an easy-to-understand entity. When one representation of a mathematical entity is transformed into another representation, more cognitive resources such as the visual and motor systems can come into play to understand the target entity. Because of their nature, some curves, which are one group of visual representations, may have a great motor strength. It is suggested that directedness, straightness, length, and thinness are some possible features that determine degree of motor strength of a curve. Another possible factor that can determine motor strength of a curve is the strength of association between shape of the curve and past experiences of the observer (and her/his prior knowledge). If an individual has had the repetitive experience of observing objects moving along a certain curve, the shape of the curve may have a great motor strength for her/him. In fact, it can be said that some kind of metonymic relationship may be formed between the shapes of some curves and movement experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we illustrate the influence of citric acid (CA) concentration on the structural, morphological, optical, and antibacterial properties of the quaternary CuO–Fe2O3–MgO–CuFe2O4 nanocomposites (NCs). The target NCs were synthesized via auto-combustion method and characterized using XRD, FTIR, EDX, SEM, and UV–visible techniques. XRD analysis proved that CuO, Fe2O3, MgO, and CuFe2O4 were crystalized as monoclinic, hexagonal, cubic, and tetragonal, respectively. The energy gap, as a result of the combined effect of all the constituent substances, was decreased from 3.32 to 2.88 eV as the concentration of CA increased. Elemental analysis was further supported the NCs composition as, beside oxygen, Cu, Mn, and Fe metallic atoms. The antibacterial activity for the NCs, as assessed against Gram–negative (E. coli) and Gram–positive bacteria (S. aureus) was adequate, higher against S. aureus, and increased as CA concentration increased. Thus, by controlling the synthesis conditions like CA concentration, these quaternary NCs can be tailored to satisfy certain applications, allowing further research to be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the role played by finger use in children's numerical development has been widely investigated, their benefit in arithmetical contexts is still debated today. This scoping review aimed to systematically identify and summarize all studies that have investigated the relation between fingers and arithmetic skills in children. An extensive search on Ovid PsycINFO and Ovid Eric was performed. The reference lists of included articles were also searched for relevant articles. Two reviewers engaged in study selection and data extraction independently, based on the eligibility criteria. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Of the 4707 identified studies, 68 met the inclusion criteria and 7 additional papers were added from the reference lists of included studies. A total of 75 studies were included in this review. They came from two main research areas and were conducted with different aims and methods. Studies published in the mathematical education field (n = 29) aimed to determine what finger strategies are used during development and how they support computation skills. Studies published in cognitive psychology and neuroscience (n = 45) specified the cognitive processes and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the fingers/arithmetic relation. Only one study combined issues raised in both research areas. More studies are needed to determine which finger strategy is the most effective, how finger sensorimotor skills mediate the finger strategies/arithmetic relation, and how they should be integrated into educational practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Energy Valley Optimizer (EVO) is proposed as a novel metaheuristic algorithm inspired by advanced physics principles regarding stability and different modes of particle decay. Twenty unconstrained mathematical test functions are utilized in different dimensions to evaluate the proposed algorithm's performance. For statistical purposes, 100 independent optimization runs are conducted to determine the statistical measurements, including the mean, standard deviation, and the required number of objective function evaluations, by considering a predefined stopping criterion. Some well-known statistical analyses are also used for comparative purposes, including the Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Wilcoxon, and Kruskal–Wallis analysis. Besides, the latest Competitions on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), regarding real-world optimization, are also considered for comparing the results of the EVO to the most successful state-of-the-art algorithms. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can provide competitive and outstanding results in dealing with complex benchmarks and real-world problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cashmere, hair characteristics, Guard hair, fiber quality, Kilis goat, Damascus goat Again, according to the same classification, it can be said that Damascus goats at first birth and yearling have the first-quality cashmere and goats at second and third birth have the second quality cashmere. The cashmere elasticity was not affected by both body parts and age in Kilis goats ( I p i >.05), but the age had a significant effect on the cashmere elasticity in Damascus goats ( I p i <.05). Keywords: Guard hair; cashmere; fiber quality; hair characteristics; Kilis goat; Damascus goat; ; ; ; ; ; EN Guard hair cashmere fiber quality hair characteristics Kilis goat Damascus goat ZH 9562 9568 7 11/21/22 20221220 NES 221220 Introduction The hair obtained from goats are of two types, namely the guard hair and the fine down hair (cashmere). [Extracted from the article]

Solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen generation is regarded as a sustainable strategy to relieve fossil resource issue. However, its PEC conversion efficiency still suffers from the low light absorption and high electronâ€"hole recombination. Herein, we report 1D/2D hierarchical heterostructured photoelectrode constructed by ordered ZnO nanorod array and intimately attached ultra-thin Hematene (thickness of monolayer: 1â€"2 nm) for effective PEC water oxidation with visible light irradiation. The onset potential of Hematene/ZnO NRs photoanode (0.28 V versus RHE) for PEC water oxidation has an obvious negative shift compared with that of ZnO NRs (0.32 V versus RHE) indicating the enhanced PEC kinetics. Furthermore, reduced charge transport resistance (18.82 KΩ cmâˆ'2), a high carrier density of 9.03 × 1018 cmâˆ'3 and the resulting significantly enhanced incident photon-to-current efficiency enhancement compared with ZnO NRs photoanode were obtained for Hematene/ZnO NRs photoanode. All these were ascribed to the formation of large built-in electric field which was arising from the charge redistribution at the ZnO and Hematene interface, and the band alignment engineering between the components. In summary, such interfacial engineering may inspire the future development of 1D/2D hierarchical heterostructured photoanodes in the field of PEC water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a longstanding and widely held misconception about the relative remoteness of abstract concepts from concrete experiences. This review examines the current evidence for external influences and internal constraints on the processing, representation, and use of abstract concepts, like truth, friendship, and number. We highlight the theoretical benefit of distinguishing between grounded and embodied cognition and then ask which roles do perception, action, language, and social interaction play in acquiring, representing and using abstract concepts. By reviewing several studies, we show that they are, against the accepted definition, not detached from perception and action. Focussing on magnitude-related concepts, we also discuss evidence for cultural influences on abstract knowledge and explore how internal processes such as inner speech, metacognition, and inner bodily signals (interoception) influence the acquisition and retrieval of abstract knowledge. Finally, we discuss some methodological developments. Specifically, we focus on the importance of studies that investigate the time course of conceptual processing and we argue that, because of the paramount role of sociality for abstract concepts, new methods are necessary to study concepts in interactive situations. We conclude that bodily, linguistic, and social constraints provide important theoretical limitations for our theories of conceptual knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we contextualize and discuss an on-line contribution to this special issue in which a video-recorded lecture demonstrates the teaching of an abstract mathematical concept, namely regression to the mean. We first motivate the pertinence of this example from the perspective of embodied cognition. Then, we identify mechanisms of teaching that reflect embodied cognitive practices, such as the concreteness fading approach. Rather than a comprehensive review of multiple extensive literatures, this article provides the interested reader with several sources or entries into those literatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical robots are increasingly important in orthopedic surgeries to assist or replace surgeons in completing operations. During joint surgeries, the patient's joint needs to be adjusted several times by the surgeon. Therefore, the virtual model, built on the preoperative medical images, cannot match the actual variation of the patient's joint during the surgery. Conventional virtual reality techniques cannot fully satisfy the requirements of the joint surgeries. This paper proposes a real and virtual bidirectional driving method to synchronize the manipulations in both the real operation site and the virtual scene. The dynamic digital twin of the patient's joint is obtained by decoupling the joint and dynamically updating its pose via the intraoperative measurements. During surgery, the surgeon can intuitively monitor the real-time position of the patient and the surgical tool through the system and can also manipulate the surgical robot in the virtual scene. In addition, the system can provide visual guidance to the surgeon when the patient's joint is adjusted. A prototype system is developed for orthopedic surgeries. Proof-of-concept joint surgery demo is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the proposed system can synchronize the manipulations in both the real operation site and the virtual scene, thus realizing the bidirectional driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A is a well-known endocrine-disrupting compound that is commonly detected in industrial effluents and wastewater treatment plants. It is extensively used in the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. It is linked to serious environmental pollution and negative effects in humans and living microorganisms, i.e., malfunction of the endocrine system through imitating or blocking natural hormones. Several bisphenol A remediation techniques have been investigated over the last decades, with many of them gradually emerging as effective ones. This article summarizes the most recent findings and progress of the highly effective and widely accepted bisphenol A elimination/degradation techniques, such as membrane separation, adsorption, advanced oxidation processes, and biodegradation, based on their beneficial and optimistic aspects, namely, ease of operation, excellent bisphenol A removal performance, and cost-effectiveness. The operational specifications affecting the elimination efficiency and concerning mechanisms of the processes are summarized. The prominent remarks from this article are as follows. (i) Reverse osmosis, membrane distillation, and nanofiltration-based membrane separation processes particularly eliminated ~100% of bisphenol A from the contaminated aqueous solutions; however, the durability and force resistance frame integrity of the membranes need to be increased. Combining the membrane separation techniques with other oxidation/biodegradation techniques can lower the major issues of each technique; i.e., integrating the membrane separation and electrochemical oxidation can reduce the fouling and mass transfer limitation issues of both the techniques, respectively. (ii) Numerous conventional and nonconventional adsorbents can effectively eliminate bisphenol A from effluents; however, the higher adsorbability and rapid adsorption rates need to be addressed. (iii) Mono/bimetal ion-loaded catalysts could significantly degrade bisphenol A via photocatalysis; however, variation in reaction rates, catalyst deactivation owing to fouling, complex structures, intricate fabrication methods, and uncontrollable morphology of metal-based nanocatalysts remain the core issues. (iv) Numerous bacterial species/fungi/fungal enzymes and microalgae can effectively biodegrade bisphenol A with comparatively higher efficiencies. Finally, prominent remarks and perspectives from this paper provide perception and future investigation directions to address existing problems of bisphenol A-contaminated wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic HIV program evaluation requires looking at all steps of the HIV cascade of care, from diagnosis to treatment outcomes. Our study was carried out to assess the treatment cascade of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Iran in 2019. We used data from the HIV Case Registry System of Iran through December 2019. We estimated the number of PLWH in 2019 by using Spectrum, and then the proportion of them being diagnosed, linked to care, received antiretroviral treatment and suppressed viral load. We estimated that there are 59,314 (UI: 32,685–125,636) PLWH in Iran, of whom 22,054 people (37% of PLWH) were diagnosed. At the end of 2019, of whom, 14,685 (25% of PLWH) people received antiretroviral therapy. Also, of whom 6338 (11% of PLWH) people had viral load suppression by 2019. Our results showed that about one-third of total PLWH were diagnosed, while this defect is somewhat less in children than adults. To reach the 90.90.90 targets Iran needs to developed the current national HIV care guidelines, which recommend best strategies to scale up the case finding and linkage to care among undiagnosed people specifically those who infected by sexual contact in general and key populations as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained increasing attention with ever‐expanding applications. Developing new MOF‐based immobilized enzymes with new applications is required, not only for demonstrating the generality and applicability of using MOFs for enzyme immobilization, but also to provide potential biocatalysts for industrial applications. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of immobilizing mushroom tyrosinase on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), with two new applications being developed. RESULTS: Upon immobilization through a one‐pot in situ encapsulation approach, the resultant tyrosinase@ZIF‐8 was characterized in structural features and catalytic properties. It was much more stable against pH and temperature relative to the free enzyme. The new biocatalyst was highly efficient in catalyzing the synthesis of catecholic products with pharmacological benefits (l‐DOPA, piceatannol and 3′‐hydroxypterostilbene) and in eliminating phenolic pollutants (phenol, p‐cresol, p‐chlorophenol). Excellent productivities were obtained for the synthesis of the three catecholic products (0.14, 1.38 and 1.46 g L−1 h−1, respectively). A complete removal of the three phenolic pollutants was achieved within 2.5 h, superior to other processes mediated by the same enzyme, or others, immobilized on different supports. The reusability of the new biocatalyst can be remarkably improved by entrapment into polyvinyl alcohol‐alginate gel. CONCLUSIONS: Tyrosinase can be immobilized on a new type of MOF with advantages such as easy preparation and excellent catalytic performance. This novel immobilization strategy for tyrosinase offers an excellent biocatalyst potent for both catecholic product synthesis and phenolic wastewater treatment. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to explore how an embodied view can redirect our understanding of decision making. To achieve this goal, we contribute a developmental embodied choice perspective. Our perspective integrates embodiment and bounded rationality from a developmental view in which the body provides cues that are used in abstract choices. Hereby, the cues evolve with the body that is not static and changes through development. To demonstrate the body's involvement in abstract choices, we will consider choices in numerical settings in which the body is not necessarily needed for the solution. For this, we consider the magnitude-judgment task in which one has to choose the larger of two magnitudes. In a nutshell, our perspective will pinpoint how the concept of embodied choices can explain the development of numerical choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal ions are the common pollutants in the aquatic environment, harmful to living organisms, non-biodegradable, and toxic even at low concentrations, thus, the present study aimed theoretically evaluate the potential for interaction of Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+ metal ions potentially toxic with B12N12 nanocage. The location of the possible interaction sites was initially assessed by the Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs), Molecular Electrostatic Potential, atomic charges NPA and the analysis allowed to predict the possible interaction sites. The results show that for ions with unpaired electrons in the valence shell, the interaction can occur on the boron atom or on the nitrogen atom. The interaction of the metal ions in the six-atom ring B–N–B–N–B–N is also possible, and site of interaction presented the longest bond lengths, > 3.2 Å. The calculations of the energies involved in the processes, binding energy (EBind), Gibbs and enthalpy proved that the interaction of the metal cations with the B12N12 nanocage is almost all spontaneously and follows the order: Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Cu2+ > Cr3+ > Co2+ > Fe2+ > Pb2+. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecule (QTAIM) was used to determine the nature of the interaction between the metal ions and the nanocage showing that interactions are non-covalent or partially covalent. Finally, the results from NPA charge after the interaction showed that the direction of charge transfer is from metal ions to the nanocage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to improve the synthesis condition of the CuO–ZnO nanocomposite using a two-step protocol. Initially, an electrodeposition method was used to synthesize CuO nanoparticles (Nps) at different current densities (25–40–53A/dm2) then assembled with ZnO Nps via a milling process to obtain different catalysts. The performance of this new composite was evaluated by characterizing the nanocomposite with XRD, FE-SEM, FTIR, BET, BJH, pHzpc, UV-DRS and then comparing it with the sonocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis degradations of dye Brilliant Blue FCF (BBF). The preliminary results of the kinetic study and a structural characterization of the nanocomposite showed that the CuO–ZnO synthesis at low current density was an efficient catalyst to degrade BBF with a bigger surface area of 50.63 m2 g−1 and a pH zpc of 8.2. Furthermore, the optimization of operational parameters such as the synthesis temperature (300–500 °C), the mass ratio of CuO:ZnO (2–10%) and the catalyst dose (0.5–2 g L−1) was studied by a central composite design (CCD) using the NEMROOD Software. The adjustment of the model demonstrates an agreement between the experimental and predicted data as shown by the high values of the correlation coefficient (R2photosono = 0.999, R2sono = 0.998). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study has two objectives: (1) to introduce grip force recording as a new technique for studying embodied numerical processing; and (2) to demonstrate how three competing accounts of numerical magnitude representation can be tested by using this new technique: the Mental Number Line (MNL), A Theory of Magnitude (ATOM) and Embodied Cognition (finger counting-based) account. While 26 healthy adults processed visually presented single digits in a go/no-go n-back paradigm, their passive holding forces for two small sensors were recorded in both hands. Spontaneous and unconscious grip force changes related to number magnitude occurred in the left hand already 100–140 ms after stimulus presentation and continued systematically. Our results support a two-step model of number processing where an initial stage is related to the automatic activation of all stimulus properties whereas a later stage consists of deeper conscious processing of the stimulus. This interpretation generalizes previous work with linguistic stimuli and elaborates the timeline of embodied cognition. We hope that the use of grip force recording will advance the field of numerical cognition research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trust forms the basis of virtually all interpersonal relationships. Although significant individual differences characterize trust, the driving neuropsychological signatures behind its heterogeneity remain obscure. Here, we applied a prediction framework in two independent samples of healthy participants to examine the relationship between trust propensity and multimodal brain measures. Our multivariate prediction analyses revealed that trust propensity was predicted by gray matter volume and node strength across multiple regions. The gray matter volume of identified regions further enabled the classification of individuals from an independent sample with the propensity to trust or distrust. Our modular and functional decoding analyses showed that the contributing regions were part of three large‐scale networks implicated in calculus‐based trust strategy, cost–benefit calculation, and trustworthiness inference. These findings do not only deepen our neuropsychological understanding of individual differences in trust propensity, but also provide potential biomarkers in predicting trust impairment in neuropsychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of its influential history of saffron production and carpet weaving, as well as its notable urban historic fabric, the historic city of Birjand, Iran, has lost its original appeal due to various social, cultural, economic, and physical problems. This research investigates the potential for heritage tourism to help regenerate a declining historic city by utilizing urban cultural capital. This case study utilizes a conceptual framework of current trends in urban renewal and cultural assets, as well as a SWOT-ANP approach to understand the primary ways in which a declining urban destination can utilize its cultural heritage to regenerate physically, socially and economically. Findings suggest that successful implementation or urban regeneration through heritage tourism occurs when a city makes maximum use of opportunities in four areas: cultural policy-making, holding cultural events, participatory management, and enhancement of public urban spaces through competitive/pro-action, diversification, revision and defence strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Attentional Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (Att-SNARC) effect has shown that number perception induces shifts in spatial attention (Fischer et al., 2003; Dodd et al., 2008). However, many replications were attempted and they often failed. In the present study, we investigated whether the Att-SNARC effect can be found for numbers in different notations: months in Arabic form, Simplified Chinese form, Traditional Chinese form (includes numerical ordinal information) and in Chinese non-numerical form (an ordinal sequence). By varying the cognitive task, we also examined whether the effect is a consequence of automatic perceptual processing. In Experiment 1, an Att-SNARC effect was observed for numbers regardless of notation. In Experiment 2 (order-irrelevant task) and Experiment 3 (order-relevant task), the effect was also found consistently for months in Arabic form, Simplified Chinese form, and Traditional Chinese form. This effect was not observed for months in Chinese non-numerical form in Experiment 3. These results show that number and numerical sequence perception automatically causes a spatial shift of attention. Our study provides positive evidence for the Att-SNARC effect and indicates that the effect can generalize to other numerical ordinal sequences that contain numeric information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Code (SNARC) is the preferential association between smaller/larger magnitudes and left/right side, respectively. Some evidence suggest a link between SNARC and a left-to-right finger counting habit. We asked 268 participants to show how they use the hands to count from 1 to 10. By means of this ecological task, 80% of the sample use first the right hand (to count from 1 to 5) and the majority of them use a palm-up posture. In Experiment 2 (N D46) right-starters were asked to categorize 1-to-5 magnitudes as even or odd, using the left and right hand. Stimuli were presented both as Arabic numbers and by means of left and right hand photographs in palm-up and palm-down posture. Results confirmed the expected SNARC effect in the Arabic condition. With hand images we found that right hand responses were better for larger than for smaller magnitudes (SNARC, mainly for left hand palm-up stimuli), showing that the SNARC can be generalized to different codes. Finally, the interactions between magnitudes and left/right hand images in palm-up and palm-down posture suggest that embodied cognition can influence numerical processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Finger counting is one of the first steps in the development of mature number concepts. With a one-to-one correspondence of fingers to numbers in Western finger counting, fingers hold two numerical meanings: one is based on the number of fingers raised and the second is based on their ordinal position within the habitual finger counting sequence. This study investigated how these two numerical meanings of fingers are intertwined with numerical cognition in adults. Participants received tactile stimulation on their fingertips of one hand and named either the number of fingers stimulated (2, 3, or 4 fingers; Experiment 1) or the number of stimulations on one fingertip (2, 3, or 4 stimulations; Experiment 2). Responses were faster and more accurate when the set of stimulated fingers corresponded to finger counting habits (Experiment 1) and when the number of stimulations matched the ordinal position of the stimulated finger (Experiment 2). These results show that tactile numerosity perception is affected by individual finger counting habits and that those habits give numerical meaning to single fingers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk perception has recently been shown to reveal a mental spatial representation, with people responding faster to low-risk items on the left side, and high-risk items on the right side. Subjective risk perception has a stronger spatial representation than objective risk perception; however, both reveal small effect sizes. With risk magnitude being a new domain within spatial mapping literature, we sought to explore its nuances. Following discussion surrounding the relationship between spatial mapping and level of expertise, this study investigated the effect of training an objective risk magnitude sequence on mental spatial representations. Participants (n = 34) used their left and right hands to indicate whether eight risk stimuli were lower or higher risk than a referent activity, both before and after training. Training involved repetitively learning the objectively correct order of the same eight risk stimuli for approximately 15 min. Pre-training results demonstrated the expected spatial representations. Contrary to our predictions, the spatial representation did not get stronger post-training, but instead disappeared. Previous research has demonstrated a loss of spatial-numerical mappings with increased task load. An increase in post-training reaction times could reflect an increase in task load due to a lack of adequate knowledge of risk stimulus order; thus revealing no mental spatial representation. However, failure to find training effects highlights the flexibility of weaker spatial representations, and supports research demonstrating spatial representation flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with the suggestion that the strength of the spatial numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect was time dependent, the aim of the present study was to assess whether the association strength depends on the processing time of numerical quantity and/or of the time to initiate responses. More specifically, we examined whether and how the SNARC effect could be modulated by number format and effector type. Experiment 1 compared the effect induced by Arabic numbers and number words on the basis of saccadic responses in a parity judgment task. Indeed, previous studies have shown that Arabic numbers lead to faster processing than number words. The results replicated the SNARC effect with Arabic numbers, but not with number words. Experiment 2 was similar to Experiment 1, but this time manual responses (i.e., responses far slower than saccadic ones) were recorded. A strong SNARC effect was observed for both number formats. Further analyses revealed a correlation between mean individual response times and the strength of the SNARC effect. We proposed that the initiation times for saccadic responses may be too short for the SNARC effect to appear, in particular with the written number format for which activation of magnitude takes time. We conclude in terms of time variations resulting from processing specificities related with number format, effector type and also individual reaction and processing speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Attentional-SNARC effect (Att-SNARC) originally described by Fischer et al. (Nat Neurosci 6(6):555, 2003), consists of faster RTs to visual targets in the left side of space when these are preceded by small-magnitude Arabic cues at central fixation and by faster RTs to targets in the right side of space when these are preceded by large-magnitude cues. Verifying the consistency and reliability of this effect is important, because the effect would suggest an inherent association between the representation of space and that of number magnitude, while a number of recent studies provided no positive evidence in favour of the Att-SNARC and the inherency of this association (van Dijck et al. in Q J Exp Psychol 67(8):1500–1513, 2014; Zanolie and Pecher in Front Psychol 5:987, 2014; Fattorini et al. in Cortex 73:298–316, 2015; Pinto et al. in Cortex, DOI:10.1016/j.cortex.2017.12.015, 2018). Here, we re-analysed Att-SNARC data that we have collected in 174 participants over different studies run in our laboratory. Most important, in a subsample of 79 participants, we also verified whether the strength and reliability of the Att-SNARC is eventually linked inter-individual variations in finger counting style, imagery vividness, and verbal/visual learning style. We found no evidence for the Att-SNARC effect or for the influence of finger counting style, imagery vividness, and learning style on its direction or consistency. These results confirm no inherent link between orienting of spatial attention and representation of number magnitudes. We propose that this link is rather determined by the joint use of spatial and number magnitude or parity codes in the performance of the numerical task at hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of the third-generation behavioral therapies in which it is attempted to increase the psychological relationship of an individual with his or her thoughts and feelings instead of changing cognition. The purpose of this study was the effectiveness of ACT on conflict resolution styles of incompatible marital women. Methods: This is a semi-experimental, pretest and posttest design and a 3-month follow-up. The statistical population of the study consisted of all incompatible women who referred to counseling centers in Arak in 2018. Therefore, 24 participants were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to one test groups and one control group of 12 participants for each. Data were collected in the pretest, posttest and follow-up stages with (the Conflict Resolution Styles Scale or Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II). The test group received a therapeutic intervention based on ACT for twelve 90-min sessions, but no therapy was provided for the control group. After the completion of treatment sessions, both groups were subjected to posttest. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc test. Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the posttest scores of the test group compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the difference was suitably sustainable during the time. Conclusion: ACT is considered as an effective intervention in improving conflict resolution styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]