Symmetry deduction from spectral fluctuations in complex quantum systems

The spectral fluctuations of complex quantum systems, in appropriate limit, are known to be consistent with that obtained from random matrices. However, this relation between the spectral fluctuations of physical systems and random matrices is valid only if the spectra are desymmetrized. This implies that the fluctuation properties of the spectra are affected by the discrete symmetries of the system. In this work, it is shown that in the chaotic limit the fluctuation characteristics and symmetry structure for any arbitrary sequence of measured or computed levels can be inferred from its higher-order spectral statistics without desymmetrization. In particular, we consider a spectrum composed of $k>0$ independent level sequences with each sequence having the same level density. The $k$-th order spacing ratio distribution of such a composite spectrum is identical to its nearest neighbor counterpart with modified Dyson index $k$. This is demonstrated for the spectra obtained from random matrices, quantum billiards, spin chains and experimentally measured nuclear resonances with disparate symmetry features.Comment: Revised text and new figures. Final versio

Pharos the Egyptian and the Gothic Other as Excess

Guy Boothby’s Pharos the Egyptian, published in 1889, employs the category of the Gothic to discuss various anxieties plaguing the late Victorian society. It deals with issues such as the Gothic Other’s ‘magical’ capabilities, revenge, disease, and the colonial extraction of wealth, among others. The novel overwhelms the binary between the rational European self and the Gothic colonial other by presenting the Egyptian Pharos not as an opposite but as an excess of the European self. Pharos is as rational as he is Gothic and in this excess of being both, he destabilizes the hierarchy and binary at once. We argue that the Gothic Other is terrifying not just in its ‘Otherness’ but also in its similarity. The familiarity it exhibits with the European worldview is a major cause for concern for the European self, leading to a deeply disturbing sense of anxiety

Mefenamic acid and diclofenac in the treatment of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea in dysfunctional uterine bleeding: a randomized comparative study

Background: There is a perception that Mefenamic Acid should be the preferred NSAID for menorrhagia. However, there are insufficient evidences to prove this. Further RCTs are required to compare individual NSAIDs.Purposes of the study were to assess and compare the efficacy of mefenamic acid and diclofenac in control of menorrhagia in patients with DUB, to assess and compare their analgesic effects in dysmenorrhea associated with DUB and to study their adverse effects.Methods: Sixty-eight patients were randomized into either Mefenamic Acid (n=34) or Diclofenac (n=34) group. Efficacy variables (Pictorial Blood loss Assessment Chart quantification, Number of pads used, Number of days of menstrual bleeding, Visual Analog Scale score) and adverse effects were recorded over three menstrual cycles.Results: The median reduction of menorrhagia with Mefenamic Acid was 43.39% (Range: 2.86% to 94.4%) and for Diclofenac was 57.5% (Range: 9.9% to 93.58%). The Diclofenac group showed a statistically significant decrease in median bleeding volume, median number of pads used and median number of days of bleeding compared to the Mefenamic Acid group (p<0.05, CI = 95%) but did not show a statistically significant decrease in median VAS score compared to the Mefenamic Acid group. Adverse effects with both groups were mild.Conclusions: Mefenamic Acid and Diclofenac individually managed to significantly reduce excessive bleeding compared to baseline. Diclofenac fared better than Mefenamic Acid in terms of control of excessive menstrual bleeding. Both these agents were able to reduce the menstrual pain and on comparison, were found to be equi-efficacious

Sciatica (Gridhrasi) - An Ayurveda Perspective

Large number of population suffers from low back pain. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) prevalence increases linearly from the third decade of life on, until the 60 years of age, being more prevalent in women. Sciatica is the most common debilitating condition causes CLBP. Radiating leg pain and related disabilities are the observed in sciatica. Nearly 40% people experience sciatic pain at some point in their life. The diagnosis of sciatica and its management varies considerably within and between countries. Conventional Medicine and surgery are widely used in the management of sciatica. There is radical rise in the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in patients with sciatica. Ayurveda is one of the widely used CAM in the recent past. Sciatica resembles the disease Gridharsi of Ayurveda. Gridharsi is one among the Vataja nanatmaja vyadhi, where dysfunction of Vata affect gridharsi nadi characterized by low back pain radiating to lower limbs, stiffness and pricking type of pain. It starts from kati- prishta (pelvic region and Lumbosacral) radiating to jangha paada (Thigh, Feets) with impairment of lifting the leg. The gait of the person is very similar to vulture (Gridhra) hence the name is given as Gridharsi. In this article, attempt has been made to review the Ayurvedic classics text and related literatures to understand the disease Gridharsi with emphasis on its samprapti on the basis of Kriyakala and role of Shodhana and Shamana chikitsa in the management of Gridharsi

Expression of Y-box-binding protein dbpC/contrin, a potentially new cancer/testis antigen

Y-box-binding proteins are members of the human cold-shock domain protein superfamily, which includes dbpA, dbpB/YB-1, and dbpC/contrin. dbpC/contrin is a germ cell-specific Y-box-binding protein and is suggested to function as a nuclear transcription factor and RNA-binding protein in the cytoplasm. Whereas ubiquitous dbpB/YB-1 expression has been well studied in various types of human carcinomas as a prognostic or predictive marker, the dbpC/contrin expression in human tumour cells has not been reported. In this report, we provide the first evidence showing that dbpC was highly expressed in human testicular seminoma and ovarian dysgerminomas, and in carcinomas in other tissues and that its expression in normal tissues is nearly restricted to germ cells and placental trophoblasts. These results indicate that dbpC/contrin would be a potentially novel cancer/testis antigen

Comparison of yoga versus stretching for chronic low back pain: protocol for the Yoga Exercise Self-care (YES) trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Back pain, one of the most prevalent conditions afflicting American adults, is the leading reason for using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Yoga is an increasingly popular "mind-body" CAM therapy often used for relieving back pain and several small studies have found yoga effective for this condition. This study will assess whether yoga is effective for treating chronic low back pain compared with self care and exercise and will explore the mechanisms responsible for any observed benefits.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A total of 210 participants with low back pain lasting at least 3 months will be recruited from primary care clinics of a large healthcare system based in Seattle. They will be randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive 12 weekly yoga classes, 12 weekly conventional therapeutic exercise classes of comparable physical exertion, or a self-care book. Interviewers masked to participants' treatment group will assess outcomes at baseline and 6, 12 and 26 weeks after randomization. Primary outcomes will be back-related dysfunction and symptom bothersomeness. In addition, data will be collected on physical measurements (e.g., flexion) at baseline and 12 weeks and saliva samples will be obtained at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Information will be collected on specific physical, psychological, and physiological factors to allow exploration of possible mechanisms of action through which yoga could relieve back pain and dysfunction. The effectiveness of yoga will be assessed using analysis of covariance (using general estimating equations - GEE) within an intention-to-treat context. If yoga is found effective, further analyses will explore whether yoga's benefits are attributable to physical, psychological and/or physiological factors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study will provide the clearest evidence to date about the value of yoga as a therapeutic option for treating chronic back pain, and if the results are positive, will help focus future, more in-depth, research on the most promising potential mechanisms of action identified by this study.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>This trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, with the ID number of <it>NCT00447668</it>.</p

A systematic review on the effectiveness of physical and rehabilitation interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is a common and disabling disorder in western society. The management of LBP comprises a range of different intervention strategies including surgery, drug therapy, and non-medical interventions. The objective of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of physical and rehabilitation interventions (i.e. exercise therapy, back school, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), low level laser therapy, education, massage, behavioural treatment, traction, multidisciplinary treatment, lumbar supports, and heat/cold therapy) for chronic LBP. The primary search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and PEDro up to 22 December 2008. Existing Cochrane reviews for the individual interventions were screened for studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The search strategy outlined by the Cochrane Back Review Groups (CBRG) was followed. The following were included for selection criteria: (1) randomized controlled trials, (2) adult (≥18 years) population with chronic (≥12 weeks) non-specific LBP, and (3) evaluation of at least one of the main clinically relevant outcome measures (pain, functional status, perceived recovery, or return to work). Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on study characteristics, risk of bias, and outcomes at short, intermediate, and long-term follow-up. The GRADE approach was used to determine the quality of evidence. In total 83 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria: exercise therapy (n = 37), back school (n = 5), TENS (n = 6), low level laser therapy (n = 3), behavioural treatment (n = 21), patient education (n = 1), traction (n = 1), and multidisciplinary treatment (n = 6). Compared to usual care, exercise therapy improved post-treatment pain intensity and disability, and long-term function. Behavioural treatment was found to be effective in reducing pain intensity at short-term follow-up compared to no treatment/waiting list controls. Finally, multidisciplinary treatment was found to reduce pain intensity and disability at short-term follow-up compared to no treatment/waiting list controls. Overall, the level of evidence was low. Evidence from randomized controlled trials demonstrates that there is low quality evidence for the effectiveness of exercise therapy compared to usual care, there is low evidence for the effectiveness of behavioural therapy compared to no treatment and there is moderate evidence for the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary treatment compared to no treatment and other active treatments at reducing pain at short-term in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Based on the heterogeneity of the populations, interventions, and comparison groups, we conclude that there are insufficient data to draw firm conclusion on the clinical effect of back schools, low-level laser therapy, patient education, massage, traction, superficial heat/cold, and lumbar supports for chronic LBP