The non-Hermitian quadratic Hamiltonian H=ωa†a+αa2+βa†2 is analyzed, where a† and a are harmonic oscillator creation and annihilation operators and ω, α, and β are real constants. For the case that ω2−4αβ⩾0, it is shown using operator techniques that the Hamiltonian possesses real and positive eigenvalues. A generalized Bogoliubov transformation allows the energy eigenstates to be constructed from the algebra and states of the harmonic oscillator. The eigenstates are shown to possess an imaginary norm for a large range of the parameter space. Finding the orthonormal dual space allows the inner product to be redefined using the complexification procedure of Bender et al. for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. Transition probabilities governed by H are shown to be manifestly unitary when the complexification procedure is followed. A specific transition element between harmonic oscillator states is evaluated for both the Hermitian and non-Hermitian cases to identify the differences in time evolution.

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ObjectiveSurvival differences in oral cancer between black and white patients have been reported, but the contributing factors, especially the role of stage, are incompletely understood. Furthermore, the outcomes for Hispanic and Asian patients have been scarcely examined.Study DesignRetrospective, population-based national study.SettingSurveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 Custom database (January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2014).Subjects and MethodsIn total, 7630 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity were classified as non-Hispanic white (white), non-Hispanic black (black), Hispanic, or Asian. Cox regression was used to obtain unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 5-year mortality for race/ethnicity with sequential adjustments for stage and other covariates. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity and stage with adjusted odds ratios (aORs).ResultsThe cohort consisted of 75.0% whites, 7.6% blacks, 9.1% Hispanics, and 8.3% Asians. Compared to whites, the unadjusted HR for all-cause mortality for blacks was 1.68 (P < .001), which attenuated to 1.15 (P = .039) after adjusting for stage and became insignificant after including insurance. The unadjusted HRs for all-cause mortality were not significant for Hispanics and Asians vs whites. Compared to whites, blacks and Hispanics were more likely to present at later stages (aORs of 2.63 and 1.42, P < .001, respectively).ConclusionThe greater mortality for blacks vs whites was largely attributable to the higher prevalence of later stages at presentation and being uninsured among blacks. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality for Hispanics vs whites or Asians vs whites.

In these patients, octreotide was safe and effective in resolving neck chylous fistulas. Octreotide therapy appears superior to traditional conservative measures of diet restriction and pressure dressings when compared with literature rates. A prospective study is needed to confirm results, but octreotide therapy should be considered as first-line conservative management for neck chyle fistulas that occur after neck surgery.

Objectives We implement a novel enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol with pre‐operative non‐opioid loading, total intravenous anesthesia, multimodal peri‐operative analgesia, and restricted red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions. 1) Compare differences in mean postoperative peak pain scores, opioid usage, and pRBC transfusions. 2) Examine changes in overall length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, complications, and 30‐day readmissions. Methods Retrospective cohort study comparing 132 ERAS vs. 66 non‐ERAS patients after HNC tissue transfer reconstruction. Data was collected in a double‐blind fashion by two teams. Results Mean postoperative peak pain scores were lower in the ERAS group up to postoperative day (POD) 2. POD0: 4.6 ± 3.6 vs. 6.5 ± 3.5; P = .004) (POD1: 5.2 ± 3.5 vs. 7.3 ± 2.3; P = .002) (POD2: 4.1 ± 3.5 vs. 6.6 ± 2.8; P = .000). Opioid utilization, converted into morphine milligram equivalents, was decreased in the ERAS group (POD0: 6.0 ± 9.8 vs. 10.3 ± 10.8; P = .010) (POD1: 14.1 ± 22.1 vs. 34.2 ± 23.2; P = .000) (POD2: 11.4 ± 19.7 vs. 37.6 ± 31.7; P = .000) (POD3: 13.7 ± 20.5 vs. 37.9 ± 42.3; P = .000) (POD4: 11.7 ± 17.9 vs. 36.2 ± 39.2; P = .000) (POD5: 10.3 ± 17.9 vs. 35.4 ± 45.6; P = .000). Mean pRBC transfusion rate was lower in ERAS patients (2.1 vs. 3.1 units, P = .017). There were no differences between ERAS and non‐ERAS patients in hospital LOS, ICU LOS, complication rates, and 30‐day readmissions. Conclusion Our ERAS pathway reduced postoperative pain, opioid usage, and pRBC transfusions after HNC reconstruction. These benefits were obtained without an increase in hospital or ICU LOS, complications, or readmission rates. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E792–E799, 2021