Upper paired domination versus upper domination

A paired dominating set $P$ is a dominating set with the additional property that $P$ has a perfect matching. While the maximum cardainality of a minimal dominating set in a graph $G$ is called the upper domination number of $G$, denoted by $\Gamma(G)$, the maximum cardinality of a minimal paired dominating set in $G$ is called the upper paired domination number of $G$, denoted by $\Gamma_{pr}(G)$. By Henning and Pradhan (2019), we know that $\Gamma_{pr}(G)\leq 2\Gamma(G)$ for any graph $G$ without isolated vertices. We focus on the graphs satisfying the equality $\Gamma_{pr}(G)= 2\Gamma(G)$. We give characterizations for two special graph classes: bipartite and unicyclic graphs with $\Gamma_{pr}(G)= 2\Gamma(G)$ by using the results of Ulatowski (2015). Besides, we study the graphs with $\Gamma_{pr}(G)= 2\Gamma(G)$ and a restricted girth. In this context, we provide two characterizations: one for graphs with $\Gamma_{pr}(G)= 2\Gamma(G)$ and girth at least 6 and the other for $C_3$-free cactus graphs with $\Gamma_{pr}(G)= 2\Gamma(G)$. We also pose the characterization of the general case of $C_3$-free graphs with $\Gamma_{pr}(G)= 2\Gamma(G)$ as an open question

Developing Talent from a Supply-Demand Perspective: An Optimization Model for Managers

While executives emphasize that human resources (HR) are a firm's biggest asset, the level of research attention devoted to planning talent pipelines for complex global organizational environments does not reflect this emphasis. Numerous challenges exist in establishing human resource management strategies aligned with strategic operations planning and growth strategies. We generalize the problem of managing talent from a supply-demand standpoint through a resource acquisition lens, to an industrial business case where an organization recruits for multiple roles given a limited pool of potential candidates acquired through a limited number of recruiting channels. In this context, we develop an innovative analytical model in a stochastic environment to assist managers with talent planning in their organizations. We apply supply chain concepts to the problem, whereby individuals with specific competencies are treated as unique products. We first develop a multi-period mixed integer nonlinear programming model and then exploit chance-constrained programming to a linearized instance of the model to handle stochastic parameters, which follow any arbitrary distribution functions. Next, we use an empirical study to validate the model with a large global manufacturing company, and demonstrate how the proposed model can effectively manage talents in a practical context. A stochastic analysis on the implemented case study reveals that a reasonable improvement is derived from incorporating randomness into the problem

Educational review on the effect of tourism on the improvement of the environmental conditions of the towns of the city of Taleghan (Iran)

In this study, the effect of second home tourism on improving the environmental conditions of villages in the central part of Taleghan city (Iran) has been investigated. The research method in this research is descriptive-analytical and the required information has been collected in the field and non-field. The research tool is a questionnaire that validity and reliability have been confirmed through Delphi technique and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. After collecting and processing the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. SPSS software has been used to answer the research hypotheses and to perform calculations. The findings show that second home tourism has been able to have positive effects in improving the environmental conditions in the lives of villagers. tourism of second homes in the village leads to the development of villages and development of green spaces and collection of sewage and garbage of villagers and stabilization and improvement of rural housing, improving the condition of roads and beautification with rural landscapes, improving the environment and physical development of villages and creating educational and communication facilities, improving health services in the village, improving the quality of rural roads, improving worn-out rural structures and establishing the facilities and services required by the village

Educational review on the effect of tourism on the improvement of the environmental conditions of the towns of the city of Taleghan (Iran)

In this study, the effect of second home tourism on improving the environmental conditions of villages in the central part of Taleghan city (Iran) has been investigated. The research method in this research is descriptive-analytical and the required information has been collected in the field and non-field. The research tool is a questionnaire that validity and reliability have been confirmed through Delphi technique and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. After collecting and processing the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. SPSS software has been used to answer the research hypotheses and to perform calculations. The findings show that second home tourism has been able to have positive effects in improving the environmental conditions in the lives of villagers. tourism of second homes in the village leads to the development of villages and development of green spaces and collection of sewage and garbage of villagers and stabilization and improvement of rural housing, improving the condition of roads and beautification with rural landscapes, improving the environment and physical development of villages and creating educational and communication facilities, improving health services in the village, improving the quality of rural roads, improving worn-out rural structures and establishing the facilities and services required by the village

Survey of Views of Medical Students on Telemedicine Methods Developed in the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Telemedicine is the use of new communication and information technologies to provide clinical services, health care, and transferring of information for care of patients from a geographical distance. The aim of this research was to determine the views of medical students on the development of telemedicine procedures in the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: A sample of 90 medical students was selected randomly in the first semester of study of 2011-12. The student's views were assessed using a questionnaire of 33 questions consisting of three parts: demographic data, questions in five areas (organizational factors, technological factors, stakeholders, agents, information literacy, and environmental factors), and student use of the various areas of technology (computers, internet, medical websites, medical applications, and etc.) Results: In the questions concerning the scope of the organizational factors 65.5% of students had a positive opinion in regard to "admission to the structural changes in the organization". Among the factors of technology 86.7% of students had positive views on "broadband access", in the factors of stakeholders 58.9% on "empowering the private sector in implementing telemedicine", in the information literacy 75.5% on "students' skills in using computers and the Internet", and in the environmental factors 80.0% on "economic factors for the plan". Conclusion: Students believed the role of economic factors (cost, appropriate technology, and etc.) to be more important than cultural factors (physician-patient interaction, culture, community support, willingness of the family, and etcetera). Keywords Vision Telemedicine Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Ira

A theory of planned behavior-enhanced intervention to promote health literacy and self-care behaviors of type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract Background: Improved health literacy and awareness could help type 2 diabetic patients to control the disease complications. Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of theory-based educational intervention on health literacy and self-care behaviors of type 2 diabetic patients in Tonekabon city. Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted at health care centers in Tonekabon city, Iran, from April 5, 2017, to October 22, 2018. Using multistage random sampling, 166 patients with type 2 diabetes divided into two groups: theory-based intervention (n = 83) and custom education (n = 83). The data collection tools consisted of demographic information, Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) measures, health literacy for Iranian adults (HELIA) and summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA). The five 45-minute group training sessions based on the baseline assessment and model constructs along with the targeted pamphlet and m-health strategy were designed for the experimental group. Data were analyzed using chi-square, independent and paired t-test and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: After controlling for pre-test effect, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean scores of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior control and intention in post-test (P < 0.001). Also, after controlling for the pre-test effect, the results showed a significant difference in the self-care domain in the post-test (P < 0.001). Finally, after controlling for the pre-test variable effect, covariance analysis reflects significant difference in total health literacy score and its dimension at posttest (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Applying TPB based education is suggested to maintain and improve self-care behaviors and health literacy in type 2 diabetic patients and other chronic diseases. Keywords: Attitude; Behavior change; Diabetes; Health literacy; Self-care behavior

Kinetic study of the regeneration of spent caustic via the genetic algorithm method

Background: Spent caustic contains noxious components such as sulfide species and also high chemical oxygen demand content (COD). Oxidation of these materials to caustic and sulfate species is mostly the rate-controlling step within catalytic oxidation of spent caustic. Methods: In this study, the kinetics of catalytic oxidation of spent caustic and the regeneration methodology of the sulfidic spent caustic were investigated. The kinetics of catalytic oxidation of spent caustic was studied in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. The developed mathematical model was verified via the batch bubble column reactor. The elementary and non-elementary models based on the genetic algorithm were used to obtain the rate coefficient and kinetic order. Results: The experiments were carried out at various conditions. The results indicated that the error of objective function of the non-elementary and elementary models was 3.01% and 134.96%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, the non-elementary model had rational outcome compared to the elementary one. Also, non-elemental model is more concordance with experimental results. Keywords: Caustic, Kinetic, Regeneration, Catalysi