-Biogeography-based Optimization (BBO) is a global optimization algorithm based on population, governed by mathematics of biogeography, and dealing with geographical distribution of biological organisms. The BBO algorithm was used in the present study to provide a solution for the N-queens problem. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated in terms of the quality of the obtained results, cost function, and execution time. Furthermore, the results of this algorithm were compared against those of genetic and particle swarm algorithms.

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Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a team-based educational program through smartphone applications on Iranian nursing students’ problem-solving ability and clinical skills. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with two groups, including an experimental and a control group, was conducted among 60 nursing students who spent internship period in post CCU and CCU wards for 16 weeks. The control group received routine training, and the students of the experimental group received a team-based program through a smartphone application in addition to routine training. Students involved in the program were invited to complete the clinical skills questionnaire and Heppner's Problem-Solving Inventory at baseline and week four, and week 12 of follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 22). Results: A significant improvement was found in nursing students’ clinical skills and problem-solving ability at week four and week 12 of follow-up compared with baseline (P < 0.001). However, the mean scores increased more in the experimental group. Conclusions: This study suggests that team-based training through smartphone applications can enhance problem-solving perception and clinical skills in nursing students. It is expected that in the future, team-based training through smartphone applications may be used in the internship training of nursing students continuously.

Article InfoBackground: Emergency operators are responsible for determining the nature of callers' problems, responding to them, and dispatching an appropriate rescue team. In addition, they provide instructions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bleeding control, airway management, and other life-saving procedures. Emergency operators are often faced with difficult situations. This study aims to highlight novel aspects of emergency operators' professional life and to achieve a deep understanding of their experiences of difficult conditions as well as the way they manage them. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was carried out using a phenomenological method. Purposeful sampling was used to select 12 individuals of 1-1-5 emergency operators in Kerman in 2019. Data were collected using in-depth and semistructured interviews. Results: The participants were 8 males and 4 females who had been working as a dispatcher for 3-17 years. As many as 13 subthemes were elicited and categorized into 3 themes. The main themes were uncertain conditions, caller communication problems, and organizational constraints. Coping skills and communication skills were found out to be effective in managing such problems. Conclusion:According to the findings of this study, 1-1-5 emergency operators in Kerman, with the responsibility of saving patient life, try to solve problems in the best way. Governmental officials are expected to provide service trainings to increase operators' theoretical and practical knowledge and to harness their communication skills so as to provide more efficient services to patients.

Background and Aim: Burnout can affect the role of nursing professionals, especially patient advocacy. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between attitude towards the role of patient advocacy and job burnout among nurses of ICUs. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on nurses working in three educational hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Of the 250 nurses (working in ICU, NICU, CCU, dialysis), 183 eligible subjects were selected using the accessible method. A three-part demographic, "Maslach Burnout Inventory" and a nurses' attitude survey questionnaire on the role of patient advocacy were used to collect the data. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and inferential tests were used in SPSS 18 software. Ethical Considerations: The informed consent of the participants was obtained and it was assured about the confidentiality of information. Findings: There was a significant negative relationship between attitude towards the role of patient advocacy and burnout (r=-0.07, p=0.035). There was a negative relationship between cognitive factors of attitude towards the role of patient advocacy with dimensions of emotional exhaustion (r=-0.81, p=0.03) and lack of personal success (r=-0.12, p=0.04). Also, there was a negative relationship between attitudinal behavioral factor towards the role of patient advocacy with the dimension of the lack of personal success (r=-0.21, p=0.03). Conclusion: It is suggested to include training the role of patient advocacy in the nursing education program.