New bounds on the signed total domination number of graphs

In this paper, we study the signed total domination number in graphs and present new sharp lower and upper bounds for this parameter. For example by making use of the classic theorem of Turan, we present a sharp lower bound on this parameter for graphs with no complete graph of order r+1 as a subgraph. Also, we prove that n-2(s-s') is an upper bound on the signed total domination number of any tree of order n with s support vertices and s' support vertives of degree two. Moreover, we characterize all trees attainig this bound.Comment: This paper contains 11 pages and one figur

Meta-analyses: Does long-term PPI use increase the risk of gastric premalignant lesions?

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective agents available for reducing acid secretion. They are used for medical treatment of various acid-related disorders. PPIs are used extensively and for extended periods of time in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A troublesome issue regarding maintenance therapy has been the propensity of PPI-treated patients to develop chronic atrophic gastritis while on therapy that could theoretically lead to an increased incidence of gastric cancer. In addition, animal studies have raised concern for development of enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia and carcinoid tumors in the stomachs of mice receiving high dose PPIs. Current literature does not provide a clear-cut conclusion on the subject and the reports are sometimes contradictory. Therefore, this study is a systematic review of the available literature to address the safety of long-term PPI use and its relation to the development of malignant/premalignant gastric lesions. Methods: A literature search of biomedical databases was performed. The reference lists of retrieved articles were reviewed to further identify relevant trials. We hand-searched the abstracts of the American Digestive Disease Week (DDW) and the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) from 1995 to 2013. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that used PPIs as the primary treatment for at least six month versus no treatment, placebo, antacid or anti-reflux surgery (ARS) were included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data. Discrepancies in the interpretation were resolved by consensus. All analyses of outcomes were based on the intention-to-treat principle. We performed statistical analysis using Review Manager software. The effect measure of choice was relative risk (RR) for dichotomous data. Results: Six RCTs with a total of 785 patients met the inclusion criteria. Two multicenter RCTs compared Esomeprazole with placebo. One RCT compared omeprazole with ARS. Two RCTs compared omeprazole with ranitidine and one RCT compared lansoprazole with ranitidine. Four of the included RCTs had moderate risk of bias and two had low risk of bias. The number of patients with increased corporal atrophy score, intestinal metaplasia score and chronic antral inflammation did not statistically differ between the PPI maintenance group and controls. Similar results were found when ECL-cell hyperplasia was assessed between the groups. ConclusionS: Maintenance PPIs did not have an association with increased gastric atrophic changes or ECL-cell hyperplasia for at least three years in RCTs

Comparing the effect of using normal saline, N-acetyl cysteine and not using them in endotracheal tube suction on physiologic parameters and the amount of secretions in intubated patients under mechanical ventilation

Aims: Today a large number of patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit need mechanical ventilation via an artificial air way. Since these patients have endotracheal tube, endotracheal suctioning is necessary for increasing oxygenation, cleaning the airway and keeping it open. But this method consists of various side effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate and respiratory rate, cyanosis, dizziness and increased intracranial pressure and hypoxia. This study aimed at comparing the effect of using normal saline serum, N-acetyl cysteine and not using them in endotracheal suctioning on physiologic parameters and the amount of secretions in intubated patients under mechanical ventilation. Material & Methods: It was a controlled clinical trial study with random allocation that was performed on 54 intubated patients hospitalized in ICU of health educational centers of Babol Medical Sciences University in 2014. Endotracheal tube suctioning was performed for each patient once without saline, the second time with 3 ml of normal saline and the third time with 2 ml of N-acetyl cysteine. Blood pressure, Heart rate, Respiratory rate, Arterial oxygen saturation were measured and recorded before each stage of suctioning and two and five minutes after that. Amount of secretions was measured after each method of suctioning. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 statistical software, variance analysis with repeated measures, ANOVA and paired t statistical tests. Results: Blood pressure, Heart rate and Respiratory rate were increased after suction in all the three groups, but these changes were higher in the group that received normal saline. Mean decrease of Arterial oxygen saturation was more in the method of receiving normal saline (p<0.05). The amount of secretion was more in the method of receiving N-acetyl cysteine (p=0.004). Conclusions: Endotracheal tube suctioning by using normal saline had more adverse effects on post- suction physiological parameters in compare with the other two methods. Therefore, it is recommended to not use normal saline in endotracheal tube suctioning to the possible extent, and if removing secretions is required, endotracheal N_acetyl cysteine should be used according to the patient's condition

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a generic term, encompassing both: (1) approaches underpinned by an assumption that presenting emotional and behavioural difficulties are cognitively mediated or moderated; and (2) atheoretical bricolages of cognitive and behavioural techniques. This latter category may include effective therapeutic packages (perhaps acting through mechanisms articulated in the first category) but, when theory is tacit, it becomes harder to make analytical generalisations or to extrapolate principles that could guide idiographic formulation and intervention. In contrast, the first category of approaches posits that presenting difficulties may be formulated from an assessment of individual cognitive content (thought processes and underlying beliefs) and implies that we can bring about change in presenting difficulties through change in associated cognitions. Within this chapter, we formulate the case of ‘Molly’, using the theoretical model of CBT articulated by A. T. Beck, to understand the client’s presentation, current difficulties, and potential areas for intervention

Comment to “A.J. Collings, K. Brown, Reconstruction and physical fit analysis of fragmented skeletal remains using 3D imaging and printing” [Forensic Sci. Int.: Rep. 2 (2020) 100114].

The creation of virtual 3D-models of objects of forensic interest and the use of 3D printing gained more and more importance in the forensic field during the last years. Comparing radiological imaging techniques, such as CT technology, with surface scan technology for anthropological studies is a field of research in which we are also actively working. This is the reason why we were particularly interested in this paper. As researchers working in a center in which the application of 3D technology including Computed Tomography (CT), 3D Surface-Scanning (3DSS) and 3D printing is integrated in daily casework, we feel committed to answer to this study, because we are surprised by the chosen study design and we cannot agree with the obtained conclusion

Fermat's principle in quantum gravitational optics

Interactions incorporating the vacuum polarization effects in curved backgrounds modify the null cone structure in such a way that the photon trajectories would not be the space-time geodesics anymore. The gravitational birefringence introduced as a direct consequence of these effects, will allow shifts in the photon velocities leading to polarization dependent superluminal propagation. Taking these effects into account we study Fermat's principle in the context of the 1+3 (threading) formulation of the space-time decomposition. We find an expression for the modified spacetime refractive index and show it is proportional to the light cone correction to the first order. Consequences of this modification on polarization sum rules and spatial light paths are considered.Comment: 13 Pages, REVTex format, section on gravitomagnetic monopoles is removed along with its references, new references adde

The impact of receiving a diagnosis of Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD): a systematic review

Background: Clinicians have reported observations of the immediate cessation of non-epileptic attacks after the diagnosis of NEAD is presented. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of receiving a diagnosis of NEAD. Search strategy: A literature search across the databases Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL, and additional hand searching, identified 6 original studies meeting criteria for the review. Selection Criteria: Included studies were original peer-reviewed articles investigating the impact of receiving a diagnosis of NEAD on adult populations with at least one outcome measured pre and post-diagnosis. Analysis: The studies were assessed for methodological quality, including biases. This assessment was developed to include criteria specific to research regarding NEAD and diagnosis. Results: Six identified studies, with a total of 153 NEAD participants, examined the impact of receiving a diagnosis on seizure frequency. Two of the six also examined the impact on health-related quality of life. The findings were inconsistent, with approximately half the participants experiencing seizure reduction or cessation post-diagnosis. Diagnosis appeared to have no significant impact on health-related quality of life. The overall evidence lacked quality, particularly in study design and statistical rigour. Conclusions: Mixed results and a lack of high quality evidence was found. Concerns are considered regarding the appropriateness of seizure frequency as the primary outcome measure and the use of epilepsy control groups. Indications for future research include: measuring more meaningful outcomes, using larger samples and power calculations, and ensuring consistent and standard methods for communicating the diagnosis and recording outcomes

Deconfined quantum criticality and generalised exclusion statistics in a non-hermitian BCS model

We present a pairing Hamiltonian of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer form which exhibits two quantum critical lines of deconfined excitations. This conclusion is drawn using the exact Bethe ansatz equations of the model which admit a class of simple, analytic solutions. The deconfined excitations obey generalised exclusion statistics. A notable property of the Hamiltonian is that it is non-hermitian. Although it does not have a real spectrum for all choices of coupling parameters, we provide a rigorous argument to establish that real spectra occur on the critical lines. The critical lines are found to be invariant under a renormalisation group map.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure. Stylistic changes, results unchange