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The F-index F(G) of a graph G is obtained by the sum of cubes of the degrees of all the vertices in G. It is defined in the same paper of 1972 where the first and second Zagreb indices are introduced to study the structure-dependency of total π-electron energy. Recently, Furtula and Gutman [J. Math. Chem. 53 (2015), no. 4, 1184–1190] reinvestigated F-index and proved its various properties. A connected graph with order n and size m, such that m = n + 2, is called a tricyclic graph. In this paper, we characterize the extremal graphs and prove the ordering among the different subfamilies of graphs with respect to F-index in Ωnα$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle {\it\Omega}^{\alpha}_n \end{array}$, where Ωnα$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle {\it\Omega}^{\alpha}_n \end{array}$ is a complete class of tricyclic graphs with three, four, six and seven cycles, such that each graph has α ≥ 1 pendant vertices and n ≥ 16 + α order. Mainly, we prove the bounds (lower and upper) of F(G), i.e

Suppose that Γ is a graph of order n and A(Γ) = [ai,j] is its adjacency matrix such that ai,j is equal to 1 if vi is adjacent to vj and ai,j is zero otherwise, where 1 ≤ i, j ≤ n. In a family of graphs, a graph is called minimizing if the least eigenvalue of its adjacency matrix is minimum in the set of the least eigenvalues of all the graphs. Petrović et al. [On the least eigenvalue of cacti, Linear Algebra Appl., 2011, 435, 2357-2364] characterized a minimizing graph in the family of all cacti such that the complement of this minimizing graph is disconnected. In this paper, we characterize the minimizing graphs G ∈ Ωnc$\begin{array}{} {\it\Omega}^c_n \end{array}$, i.e.

Introduction. Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common foot problem caused by repetitive microtrauma or excessive overload of fascia. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM), stretching, and strengthening exercises are more helpful in reducing the pressure of fascia and improving functional activities of the patients. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation using the Ergon technique with conservative treatment in plantar fasciitis. Methods. This randomised control trial was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy of the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Citi Hospital Lahore. After registration, the patients were randomly allocated into treatment and conventional groups. Both groups received therapeutic ultrasound therapy, stretching strengthening exercises and cryotherapy, and the experimental group received additional instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation. Pain, strength, and range of motion were assessed at baseline, 1st, 3rd, and 5th week after treatment. Results. 64 participants were randomly allocated into two groups; the Ergon group (ET = 32) and the conventional group (CT = 32). The mean age in the ET group was 29.1 ± 6.0 and in the CT group was 29.5 ± 6.0 and the sex distribution of the study population was 28.1% male and 71.9% female. There was a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in pain, strength, and plantar flexion range of motion among all participants in the treatment group. However, no significant improvement was noticed in the dorsiflexion range (p > 0.05). A within-group analysis showed improvement in the dorsiflexion range of both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions. This randomised controlled trial demonstrates that the inclusion of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation using the Ergon Technique for plantar fasciitis lasting 5 weeks is an effective treatment intervention in reducing pain and improving strength and ankle range of motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrant space – a place of convergence of multiple movements – engenders through rhythms of the everyday and an art of inhabitation of its people. It comprises stories of resilience that must be amplified and celebrated, especially when they are at a threat of erasure on account of systemic and structural violence, and/or a lack of concerted effort to document them. Little Pakistan is one such immigrant space inhabited by Pakistani Americans in Brooklyn, New York City. In this article, I propose a framework titled 'Engender(ing)' for a rediscovery of meanings vested in immigrant space, explaining its emergence and expansion across forms, delimitations and associations. The framework is then applied through a confluence of collaborative storytelling and interactive documentary. The outcome, Little Pakistan – Future Histories, is an interactive documentary project presented as a case study, with people – artist, community, publics – assuming the role of 'innovators of meanings' to rediscover Little Pakistan as an 'ensemble of meanings'. I infer that this framework and its praxis offer promise for future collaborative new media documentary practice and research in the context of other immigrant enclaves, neighborhoods and similarly structured spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Technological advancements have transformed society into a global entity; medical education is no exception. Innumerable social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Edmodo encourage collaborative learning, improved communication, and knowledge-sharing. The current study aims to assess students' perception of WhatsApp as an additional educational and learning aid for communication purposes, sharing of learning materials, and as a discussion forum. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2021 to December 2021 at Faryal Dental College, Sheikhupura, Pakistan. A standardized questionnaire was prepared and circulated amongst students of 1st Year BDS to Final Year BDS. Responses were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. RESULTS: The study comprised 150 participants; the majority, i.e., 62% (n=93), were females, and 38% (n=57) were males. Learning through WhatsApp was found to be useful by 90% of students. An association (p≤0.02) was found among both genders regarding the usefulness of WhatsApp as an additional learning aid. CONCLUSION: These days, social media is a dominant mechanism used for communal exchanges and is also utilized as an additional aid for teaching and learning purposes. Incorporating social media with conventional class teaching in medical education has evident advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In human life, the forest plays an important role in safeguarding trees against disease infection. The pine wilt disease is one of the big threats for the forest and the environment. Optimum control theory is about discovering a complex system control rule over a period of time. In this paper Evolutionary Padé Approximation (EPA) scheme has been implemented for the treatment of non-linear pine wilt disease model. Evolutionary Padé Approximation scheme transforms the nonlinear pine wilt disease model into optimization problem. Initial conditions are converted into problem constraints and then constraint problem is converted into unconstraint problem by using penalty function. Sufficient parameter settings for EPA have been implemented. The simulations are numerical solutions of the model of pine wilt disease by solving the proven problem of optimization. It is also determined the threshold value for the fundamental reproductive number and the endemic disease balance point of the model. Evolutionary Padé Approximation has provided convergence solution regarding relationship among the different population compartments for diseases equilibrium, it has been observed that the results EPA scheme are more reliable and significant when a comparison is drawn with Non-Standard Finite Difference (NSFD) numerical scheme. Finally, EPA scheme reduces the infected rates very fast. Further, in a strong contrast to NFSD, this technique has eliminated the need to provide step size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to find out the preferred mode of study for undergraduate Physiology students and effect of learning style preferences on academic achievements. Study Design: Cross Sectional, Descriptive study. Setting: Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore. Period: December 2018 to June 19. Material & Methods: Total 170 undergraduate's 2nd year MBBS Physiology students were included. The VARK questionnaire (Version 7.1) designed by Fleming was administered to 170 students after taking consent. This questionnaire is a valid tool to assess the learning style preferences of students. It consists of 16 questions having four options each and a scoring chart at the end, for the students to calculate their own scores. The aggregate percentage of periodic assessments throughout the academic year was defined as academic achievement. It was matched with their learning style preferences. A relationship between the learning style preferences and academic achievement was studied. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Out of a total of 170 students, 73 (43%) preferred kinesthetic while 51(30%) preferred aural mode of learning. However, no association between learning style preferences and academic achievements could be found. Conclusion: The study concluded that the most preferred learning style among the MBBS 2nd year Physiology students was kinesthetic. No significant association was found between the learning style preferences and academic achievement. Teaching modalities can be improved and incorporated according to students' preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose was to determine the ghrelin level, its effect and relationship with blood pressure levels in obese subjects. Study Design: Comparative Cross Sectional study. Settings: General OPD of Madinah Teaching Hospital (MTH) and District Head Quarter hospital Faisalabad (DHQ). Period: 2019 to 2020. Material & Methods: Blood samples were collected from hypertensive and compared with the normotensive obese (BMI >30). Ghrelin level was measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was done on Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 20 software. Mean ±SD has been given for quantitative variables. Independent sample t test was used for comparisons. Significance has been chosen as p ≤ 0.05. Results: Total 114 obese patients were selected for this study, of which 57 were hypertensive and 57 were normotensive. Minimum age was 30 years and maximum age was 60 years with mean age 39.35 ± 10.08 years. Mean age of hypertensive obese was 43.42 ± 10.46 years and mean age of normotensive was 35.28 ± 7.87 years. Statistically significant difference of mean fasting ghrelin levels between hypertensive obese and normotensive obese was noted with p value 0.013. Conclusion: Obese persons with elevated circulating concentration of ghrelin may be susceptible to the progression of increasing blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimization for all disciplines is very important and applicable. Optimization has played a key role in practical engineering problems. A novel hybrid meta-heuristic optimization algorithm that is based on Differential Evolution (DE), Gradient Evolution (GE) and Jumping Technique named Differential Gradient Evolution Plus (DGE+) are presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm hybridizes the above-mentioned algorithms with the help of an improvised dynamic probability distribution, additionally provides a new shake off method to avoid premature convergence towards local minima. To evaluate the efficiency, robustness, and reliability of DGE+ it has been applied on seven benchmark constraint problems, the results of comparison revealed that the proposed algorithm can provide very compact, competitive and promising performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molecular descriptor is a mathematical measure that associates a molecular graph with some real numbers and predicts the various biological, chemical, and structural properties of the underlying molecular graph. Wiener (1947) and Trinjastic and Gutman (1972) used molecular descriptors to find the boiling point of paraffin and total π -electron energy of the molecules, respectively. For molecular graphs, the general sum-connectivity and general Randić are well-studied fundamental topological indices (TIs) which are considered as degree-based molecular descriptors. In this paper, we obtain the bounds of the aforesaid TIs for the generalized F -sum graphs. The foresaid TIs are also obtained for some particular classes of the generalized F -sum graphs as the consequences of the obtained results. At the end, 3 D -graphical presentations are also included to illustrate the results for better understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is associated with oxidative stress and has a significant role in the pathophysiology of the disease and its complications. Exercise training is a powerful therapeutic approach in diabetes and has protective effects against the progress of its complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an endurance exercise program on the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in high fat diet-low dose streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic mouse model. Study Design: Randomized Control trial. Setting: Department of Physiology, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore. Period: August 2017 to August 2018. Material & Methods: 60 male albino mice were fed a high fat diet containing 60% kCal as fat for 4 weeks. This was followed by intra peritoneal injection of 40mg/kg body weight streptozotocin, given on three consecutive days. Mice with fasting blood glucose more than 250mg/dl after a week were considered diabetic. Half the mice underwent an exercise program which comprised of a 20 minute swimming session per day, with a 6% body weight load attached to the tail of mice, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. The level of MDA was estimated in both groups using TBARs method. Results: Mean malondialdehyde level was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in diabetic mice that underwent endurance exercise training. Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of endurance exercise in reducing oxidative stress in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective was to determine the frequency of caries in lower anterior teeth bonded with fixed ortho-dontic retainer. It was a randomized controlled trial. This study was carried out at Department of Dentistry, Faryal Dental College, Sheikhupura from February 2022 to July 2022. Total 120 patients having age 15 to 25 years (permanent dentition) and orthodontically treated were enrolled in this study. Patients in Group I received bonded canine-to-canine retainers for their lower front teeth following orthodontic treatment. Group II comprised of patients who had removable retainers. Collected data was entered in SPSS for data analysis. The results demonstrated an increased frequency of caries among our research participants for cen-tral (38.33%) and lateral incisors (31.66%) in Group I when compared to Group II (20.0% and 18.33%) respectively. It may be stated that the experimental group's mandibular central and lateral incisors experienced an equivalent amount of caries compared to one another but more frequently than canines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]