Set optimization - a rather short introduction

Recent developments in set optimization are surveyed and extended including various set relations as well as fundamental constructions of a convex analysis for set- and vector-valued functions, and duality for set optimization problems. Extensive sections with bibliographical comments summarize the state of the art. Applications to vector optimization and financial risk measures are discussed along with algorithmic approaches to set optimization problems

Estrogen- and Progesterone (P4)-Mediated Epigenetic Modifications of Endometrial Stromal Cells (EnSCs) and/or Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) in the Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammatory condition in which endometrial tissue appears outside the uterine cavity. Because ectopic endometriosis cells express both estrogen and progesterone (P4) receptors, they grow and undergo cyclic proliferation and breakdown similar to the endometrium. This debilitating gynecological disease affects up to 15% of reproductive aged women. Despite many years of research, the etiopathogenesis of endometrial lesions remains unclear. Retrograde transport of the viable menstrual endometrial cells with retained ability for attachment within the pelvic cavity, proliferation, differentiation and subsequent invasion into the surrounding tissue constitutes the rationale for widely accepted implantation theory. Accordingly, the most abundant cells in the endometrium are endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs). These cells constitute a particular population with clonogenic activity that resembles properties of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Thus, a significant role of stem cell-based dysfunction in formation of the initial endometrial lesions is suspected. There is increasing evidence that the role of epigenetic mechanisms and processes in endometriosis have been underestimated. The importance of excess estrogen exposure and P4 resistance in epigenetic homeostasis failure in the endometrial/endometriotic tissue are crucial. Epigenetic alterations regarding transcription factors of estrogen and P4 signaling pathways in MSCs are robust in endometriotic tissue. Thus, perspectives for the future may include MSCs and EnSCs as the targets of epigenetic therapies in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. Here, we reviewed the current known changes in the epigenetic background of EnSCs and MSCs due to estrogen/P4 imbalances in the context of etiopathogenesis of endometriosis

A comparative system-level analysis of the neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are disorders in the central nervous system with consequent progressive neurological symptoms including behavioral and cognitive disabilities. Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia are the most important and abundant neurodegenerative diseases that affect different parts of the brain. Detailed studies unveiled the molecular mechanisms and pathways affected in each of these disorders. The role of many genes has been documented in the onset and progression of each disease. Although many system‐level approaches have been used to understand the exact cause of these diseases, there is no comparative analysis in this regard. Despite all differences in the molecular basis of these diseases, overlapping symptoms might indicate the involvement of the similar pathways and processes. Here, we have applied a system biology approach to uncover many aspects of main neurodegenerative diseases using microarray data obtained from 118 cases of postmortem brain samples. Our analysis has identified key genes that might contribute to the status of diseases. We have also compared the involved biological process and pathway between different disease to find possible similar mechanisms that exist in all of them. We also predicted potentially important transcription factors in each disease and predicted the core gene regulatory networks. We have provided a list of possible new key regulators that could be further explored and also discussed the role of these hub genes. The results of this study would be useful to develop new diagnostic strategies and also to find new drug targets.Rasoul Godini, Hossein Fallahi, Esameil Ebrahimi

Seaweeds as ecological and trophic state indices in coastal and transition marine areas: The lagoon of Venice as a study case

Försörjningskedjor har blivit allt mer globala, vilket har medfört att risken ökat och allt fler oförutsedda händelser uppstår som kan påverka organisationen på ett negativt sätt. Denna studies syfte var att få en förståelse för hur företag A hanterar och identifierar risker inom försörjningskedjan utifrån ett inköpsperspektiv, vilket undersöktes med hjälp av kvalitativa metoder. Studien började med insamling av allmänna fakta för att skapa en bild över potentiella problem inom försörjningskedjan, vidare riktades den teoretiska referensramen in på teorier och modeller inom riskdefinition, riskstrategier och analysverktyg för riskbedömning. Sedan genomfördes en fallstudie av hur företag A upplever risker. Den empiriska datan blev insamlad genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer med individer på företagets inköpsavdelning, med fokus på hur de identifierar och hanterar risker. Därefter analyserades den insamlade datan från intervjuerna, utifrån den teoretiska referensramen. Resultatet visade att det finns en stor riskförståelse och aktivt arbete mot olika typer av risker, samt för att minimera störningar är den främsta åtgärden kommunikation med leverantörer. I studien framkom även att det inte finns någon enhetlig riskstrategi och riskhantering bland individerna på inköpsavdelningen, istället hanteras riskerna utifrån enskilda situationer.Supply chains have become increasingly global, which has led to increased risk and more and more unforeseen events occurring that could adversely affect the organization. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how Company A manages and identifies risks in the supply chain from a purchasing perspective, which was investigated using qualitative methods. The study began with the gathering of general facts to create a picture of potential problems in the supply chain, and the theoretical frame of reference was also focused on theories and models within risk definition, risk strategies and analysis tools for risk assessment. A case study was then conducted of how Company A perceived risks. The empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals in the company's purchasing department, focusing on how they identify and manage risks. Subsequently, the data collected from the interviews were analyzed based on the theoretical frame of reference. The result showed that there is a great understanding of risk and active work against different types of risks, and to minimize disruptions, the main measure is communication with suppliers. The study also revealed that there is no uniform risk strategy and risk management among the individuals in the purchasing department, instead the risks are managed based on individual situations

Application of surfactant-modified montmorillonitefor As(III) removal from aqueous solutions: kinetics and isotherm study

The prime objective of this research was to develop a systematic method for the removal of arsenic (III) from aqueous solutions by adsorption. Thus, montmorillonite modified with tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) was utilized to prepare an outstanding sorbent. Subsequently, this novel material was characterized and identified completely by different techniques: X-fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), Sear's procedure (titratin method), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, the effects of solution pH (4-12), surfactant loading rates (20-200 cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the clay), contact time (10 min-5 h), pollutant concentration (500-3000 mu g/l), temperature (15-45 degrees C) and adsorbent dose (0.1-1.0 g) on the adsorption process were investigated. At the optimum values, the effects of contact time on adsorption and the dependency of adsorption data to different kinetic models like pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion were assessed; it was found that the process of arsenic (III) removal followed a pseudo second-order kinetic model (R-2 = 0.9998). Following the optimization of the variables, by fitting the experimental equilibrium to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich models and the respective information for each model and their applicability were examined to understand the conceptual of the adsorption. According to R-2 (0.9999) and maximum adsorption capacity (1.48 mg g(-1)), it was found that the adsorption process followed the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic study also showed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process