Generalised Thurston-Bennequin invariants for real algebraic surface singularities

A generalised Thurston-Bennequin invariant for a Q-singularity of a real algebraic variety is defined as a linking form on the homologies of the real link of the singularity. The main goal of this paper is to present a method to calculate the linking form in terms of the very good resolution graph of a real normal unibranch surface singularity. For such singularities, the value of the linking form is the Thurston-Bennequin number of the real link of the singularity. As a special case of unibranch surface singularities, the behaviour of the linking form is investigated on the Brieskorn double points x^m+y^n\pm z^2=0.Comment: 22 pages, TeX, 12 figure

The Effectiveness of Matrix Interventions in Reducing the Difficulty in Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Background:  Craving is a persistent factor in addictive behaviors. The aim of study was to investigate the effectiveness of matrix interventions in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients.Methods:  The research method was experimental and the research design was pre and posttest with the control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all methamphetamine-dependent patients who visited the Golestan hospital of Ahvaz in 2019. Among them, 40 ones were selected by a purposive sampling method and were randomly classified into experimental and control groups (n = 20 per group). The Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving Questionnaires were used for data collection. The experimental group received the matrix program (24 fifty-minute sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05.Results: The results indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation (F = 13.483, Pvalue < 0.001). The research results also indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing craving in methamphetaminedependent patients (F = 60.716, Pvalue < 0.001).Conclusions: According to results, the therapy could be used to reduce the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Keywords: Matrix model, Cognitive emotion regulation, Craving, Methamphetamine

The Effectiveness of Matrix Interventions in Reducing the Difficulty in Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Background:  Craving is a persistent factor in addictive behaviors. The aim of study was to investigate the effectiveness of matrix interventions in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients.Methods:  The research method was experimental and the research design was pre and posttest with the control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all methamphetamine-dependent patients who visited the Golestan hospital of Ahvaz in 2019. Among them, 40 ones were selected by a purposive sampling method and were randomly classified into experimental and control groups (n = 20 per group). The Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving Questionnaires were used for data collection. The experimental group received the matrix program (24 fifty-minute sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05.Results: The results indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation (F = 13.483, Pvalue < 0.001). The research results also indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing craving in methamphetaminedependent patients (F = 60.716, Pvalue < 0.001).Conclusions: According to results, the therapy could be used to reduce the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Keywords: Matrix model, Cognitive emotion regulation, Craving, Methamphetamine

Enhancing Blood Donation Intentions Using the Train-the-Trainer ( TTT ) Model: A Field Trial Study

Background: In Iran, despite various attempts to increase recruitment of female blood donors, women make up less than 10% of blood donors.Methods: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of face-toface education via the Train-the-Trainer (TTT) model on people’s willingness to donate blood, especially women. A field trial study was designed based on a face-to-face educational plan for a population in 22 municipal regions of Tehran, the capital of Iran. The periods from March 2011 to February 2011 and from March 2010 to February 2010 were named as trial 2 and trial 1, respectively.Results: Total number of volunteers in trial 2 was 9,178 cases, including 2,785 females and 6,393 males, compared with 4,074 cases, including 454 females and 3,620 males, in trial 1. Female/male ratios in trials 1 and 2 were 0.13 and 0.44, respectively (p<0.001). Deferred donors made up 24% (981/4074) of 4,074 in trial 1, and of the 9,178 donors in trial 2, 29% (2693/9178) were deferred (p<0.001). The most common cause in trial 1 was erythrocytosis, 20%, and in trial 2 was anemia, 21.5%.Conclusions: Overall, face-to-face education is an appropriate method for enhancing safe blood donor motivation and recruitment

Enhancing Blood Donation Intentions Using the Train-the-Trainer ( TTT ) Model: A Field Trial Study

Background: In Iran, despite various attempts to increase recruitment of female blood donors, women make up less than 10% of blood donors.Methods: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of face-toface education via the Train-the-Trainer (TTT) model on people’s willingness to donate blood, especially women. A field trial study was designed based on a face-to-face educational plan for a population in 22 municipal regions of Tehran, the capital of Iran. The periods from March 2011 to February 2011 and from March 2010 to February 2010 were named as trial 2 and trial 1, respectively.Results: Total number of volunteers in trial 2 was 9,178 cases, including 2,785 females and 6,393 males, compared with 4,074 cases, including 454 females and 3,620 males, in trial 1. Female/male ratios in trials 1 and 2 were 0.13 and 0.44, respectively (p<0.001). Deferred donors made up 24% (981/4074) of 4,074 in trial 1, and of the 9,178 donors in trial 2, 29% (2693/9178) were deferred (p<0.001). The most common cause in trial 1 was erythrocytosis, 20%, and in trial 2 was anemia, 21.5%.Conclusions: Overall, face-to-face education is an appropriate method for enhancing safe blood donor motivation and recruitment

Energy Drinks Consumption among Iranian University Students and Associated Factors

Background & Aims: There is no study in Iran about the Energy drinks (EDs) use by students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EDs consumption and its related factors among the students. Methods:This cross-sectional study carried out among students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. Using a standardized, pretested and self-administered questionnaire, the data were collected. The questionnaire consisted of 65 questions that asked the students' sociodemographic characteristics and their knowledge and habits of ED consumptions. Results:Of all participants 66.3% were female, 63.1% of students live in dormitories and 6.9% and 19.9% of them live with friends and parents, respectively. Almost 11.5 percent of students are user of energy drinks. The most common reason to try an ED was ‘‘its special tastes’’ (36.2%), followed in order of frequency by ‘‘to stay awake for long hours’’.  Logistic regression modeling of EDs use indicated that, male gender, students who live alone and higher monthly costs for personal requirements were also positively and significantly associated with EDs use. Conclusions:Despite thelow prevalence of EDs consumption in our study samples,male students, living alone and higher monthly costs for personal requirements are factors associated with more EDs consumption. Key words: Energy Drink; Youths; University Students; Iran

Energy Drinks Consumption among Iranian University Students and Associated Factors

Background & Aims: There is no study in Iran about the Energy drinks (EDs) use by students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EDs consumption and its related factors among the students. Methods:This cross-sectional study carried out among students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. Using a standardized, pretested and self-administered questionnaire, the data were collected. The questionnaire consisted of 65 questions that asked the students' sociodemographic characteristics and their knowledge and habits of ED consumptions. Results:Of all participants 66.3% were female, 63.1% of students live in dormitories and 6.9% and 19.9% of them live with friends and parents, respectively. Almost 11.5 percent of students are user of energy drinks. The most common reason to try an ED was ‘‘its special tastes’’ (36.2%), followed in order of frequency by ‘‘to stay awake for long hours’’.  Logistic regression modeling of EDs use indicated that, male gender, students who live alone and higher monthly costs for personal requirements were also positively and significantly associated with EDs use. Conclusions:Despite thelow prevalence of EDs consumption in our study samples,male students, living alone and higher monthly costs for personal requirements are factors associated with more EDs consumption. Key words: Energy Drink; Youths; University Students; Iran

Exercise Prescriptions in Primary Care

Learning Objectives: ●Review the health benefits of physical activity. ●Recognize barriers on the part of the provider that limit our discussion of exercise with our patients. ●Understand the current recommendations for physical activity including: time per week, exercise intensity, and recommendations for pregnant patients and those with chronic disease. ●Understand the current recommendations for screening prior to exercise in patients with chronic medical conditions. ●Help patients devise strategies to introduce physical activity into their routine. ●Become familiar with resources to connect our patients with for exercise in their area

Effect of Post-Discharge Telephone Follow-up on Social Dignity of Patients with Heart Failure: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Heart failure is a malignant and perilous disease as such palliative care is of great importance for patients suffering from this failure. One of the main components in offering specialized palliative care is to respect human rights and dignity. This study aimed to determine the effect of post-discharge telephone follow-up on the social dignity of heart failure patients. Methods: A randomized control trial study was used. 70 patients with heart failure referring to the cardiology ward of general Hospital were included. Patients were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, the patients had telephone followed-ups concerning medication, disease symptoms, daily activities, and their diet during one-month post-discharge (once a week). Social dignity of patients before and one month after the intervention was measured using the Social Dignity Questionnaire. Results: In this study, patients were compared in experimental (aged 65±10.6 years) and control (aged 67±13.3 years) groups. According to the statistical tests, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of social dignity in the experimental and control groups (0.8±0.2 and 0.06±0.2) before and after the intervention (Pvalue<0.001). Conclusions: Use of programmed post-discharge telephone follow-up to enhance social dignity of patients with heart failure, is suggested. Keywords: Telephone follow-up, Dignity, Dignity in care, Social dignity, Heart failure, Nursing. &nbsp