55 research outputs found
Multilocal programming and applications
Preprint versionMultilocal programming aims to identify all local minimizers of unconstrained
or constrained nonlinear optimization problems. The multilocal programming
theory relies on global optimization strategies combined with simple ideas
that are inspired in deflection or stretching techniques to avoid convergence to the
already detected local minimizers. The most used methods to solve this type of problems
are based on stochastic procedures and a population of solutions. In general,
population-based methods are computationally expensive but rather reliable in identifying
all local solutions. In this chapter, a review on recent techniques for multilocal
programming is presented. Some real-world multilocal programming problems
based on chemical engineering process design applications are described.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
The management of menopause in women with a history of endometriosis: a systematic review
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is typically regarded as a premenopausal disease, resolving after natural or iatrogenic menopause due to declining oestrogen levels. Nonetheless, case reports over the years have highlighted the incidence of recurrent postmenopausal endometriosis. It is now clear that both recurrence and malignant transformation of endometriotic foci can occur in the postmenopausal period. Postmenopausal women are commonly treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat climacteric symptoms and prevent bone loss; however, HRT may reactivate endometriosis and stimulate malignant transformation in women with a history of endometriosis. Given the uncertain risks of initiating HRT, it is difficult to determine the best menopausal management for this group of women.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONAL
The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on management of menopausal symptoms in women with a history of endometriosis. We also aimed to evaluate the published literature on the risks associated with HRT in these women, and details regarding optimal formulations and timing (i.e. initiation and duration) of HRT.
SEARCH METHODS
Four electronic databases (MEDLINE via OVID, Embase via OVID, PsycINFO via OVID and CINAHL via EbscoHost) were searched from database inception until June 2016, using a combination of relevant controlled vocabulary terms and free-text terms related to ‘menopause’ and ‘endometriosis’. Inclusion criteria were: menopausal women with a history of endometriosis and menopausal treatment including HRT or other preparations. Case reports/series, observational studies and clinical trials were included. Narrative review articles, organizational guidelines and conference abstracts were excluded, as were studies that did not report on any form of menopausal management. Articles were assessed for risk of bias and quality using GRADE criteria.
OUTCOMES
We present a synthesis of the existing case reports of endometriosis recurrence or malignant transformation in women undergoing treatment for menopausal symptoms. We highlight common presenting symptoms, potential risk factors and outcomes amongst the studies. Sparse high-quality evidence was identified, with few observational studies and only two randomized controlled trials. Given this paucity of data, no definitive conclusions can be drawn concerning risk.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Due to the lack of high-quality studies, it remains unclear how to advise women with a history of endometriosis regarding the management of menopausal symptoms. The absolute risk of disease recurrence and malignant transformation cannot be quantified, and the impact of HRT use on these outcomes is not known. Multicentre randomized trials or large observational studies are urgently needed to inform clinicians and patients alike
Statistical Mechanics of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Evolutionary Ecology
The biological world, especially its majority microbial component, is
strongly interacting and may be dominated by collective effects. In this
review, we provide a brief introduction for statistical physicists of the way
in which living cells communicate genetically through transferred genes, as
well as the ways in which they can reorganize their genomes in response to
environmental pressure. We discuss how genome evolution can be thought of as
related to the physical phenomenon of annealing, and describe the sense in
which genomes can be said to exhibit an analogue of information entropy. As a
direct application of these ideas, we analyze the variation with ocean depth of
transposons in marine microbial genomes, predicting trends that are consistent
with recent observations using metagenomic surveys.Comment: Accepted by Journal of Statistical Physic
Biópsia pulmonar incisional por toracoscopia paraxifoide transdiafragmática com dois portais em cães
Thermal expansion of cubic Si3N4 with the spinel structure
The thermal expansion coeff. of cubic Si3N4 with the spinel structure was detd. with high temp. x-ray diffraction. The exptl. value agrees well with the lattice parameter predicted by first principles methods, and is significantly larger than the value for b-Si3N4. This difference is discussed in terms of the chem. bonding in these 2 modifications of Si3N4
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