Fuzzy set based multiobjective allocation of resources and its applications

AbstractThis paper presents results of research into the use of the Bellman-Zadeh approach to decision making in a fuzzy environment for solving multiobjective optimization problems. Its application conforms to the principle of guaranteed result and provides constructive lines in obtaining harmonious solutions on the basis of analyzing associated maxmin problems. The use of the Bellman-Zadeh approach has served as a basis for solving a problem of multiobjective allocation of resources (or their shortages) and developing a corresponding adaptive interactive decision-making system (AIDMS1). Its calculating kernel permits one to solve maxmin problems using an algorithm based on a nonlocal search (modification of the Gelfand's and Tsetlin's “long valley” method). The AIDMS1 includes procedures for considering linguistic variables to reflect conditions that are difficult to formalize as well as procedures for constructing and correcting vectors of importance factors for goals. The use of these procedures permits one to realize an adaptive approach to processing information of a decision maker to provide successive improving of the solution quality. C++ windows of the AIDMS1 are presented for input, output, and special possibilities related to considering linguistic variables and constructing and correcting vectors of importance factors. The results of the paper are universally applicable and are already being used to solve power engineering problems

Water Aerobics In Pregnancy: Cardiovascular Response, Labor And Neonatal Outcomes

Background. To evaluate the association between water aerobics, maternal cardiovascular capacity during pregnancy, labor and neonatal outcomes. Methods. A randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out in which 34 pregnant women were allocated to a water aerobics group and 37 to a control group. All women were submitted to submaximal ergometric tests on a treadmill at 19, 25 and 35 weeks of pregnancy and were followed up until delivery. Oxygen consumption (VO 2 max), cardiac output (CO), physical fitness, skin temperature, data on labor and delivery, and neonate outcomes were evaluated. Frequency distributions of the baseline variables of both groups were initially performed and then analysis of the outcomes was carried out. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test, and numerical using Student's t or Mann-Whitney tests. Wilk's Lambda or Friedman's analysis of repeat measurements were applied for comparison of physical capacity, cardiovascular outcomes and maternal temperature. Results. VO 2 max and physical fitness were higher in both groups in the second trimester, returning to basal levels in the third trimester. In both groups, CO increased as pregnancy progressed and peak exercise temperature was higher than resting temperature, increasing further after five minutes of recovery and remaining at this level until 15 minutes after exercise completion. There was no difference between the two groups regarding duration (457.9 ± SD 249.6 vs 428.9 ± SD 203.2 minutes) or type of delivery. Labor analgesia was requested by significantly fewer women in the water aerobics group (27% vs 65%; RR = 0.42 95%CI 0.23-0.77). Neonatal results were similar in both groups. Conclusion. The regular practice of moderate water aerobics by sedentary and low risk pregnant women was not detrimental to the health of the mother or the child. 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Hydrothermal Surface-Wave Instability and the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky Equation

We consider a system formed by an infinite viscous liquid layer with a constant horizontal temperature gradient, and a basic nonlinear bulk velocity profile. In the limit of long-wavelength and large nondimensional surface tension, we show that hydrothermal surface-wave instabilities may give rise to disturbances governed by the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation. A possible connection to hot-wire experiments is also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, RevTex, no figure

Diffusive and convective transfer of cytokine-inducing bacterial products across hemodialysis membranes

Diffusive and convective transfer of cytokine-inducing bacterial products across hemodialysis membranes. The widespread use of bicarbonate dialysate, and high-flux and high-efficiency dialyzers have raised concerns regarding the transmembrane passage of bacterial products from the dialysate into the blood compartment. To study the mechanisms as well as magnitude of the transmembrane transfer of bacterial products from the dialysate, we developed a computerized in vitro dialysis model which provides continuous pressure recording from the arterial, venous, dialysate inflow and outflow ports. By virtue of a computer controlled on-line infusion pump, this model permits control of ultrafiltration/backfiltration. Heparinized (10 U/ml) whole blood (150 ml) was circulated through the blood compartment for 120 minutes at 100ml/min. Bicarbonate dialysate contaminated with Pseudomonas maltophilia filtrate was circulated through the dialysate compartment at 100ml/min. A two-point pressure of +10mm of Hg (ultrafiltration) was maintained for the first 60 minutes and -10mm of Hg (backfiltration) for the next 60 minutes. Whole blood samples (10 ml) were drawn from the blood at 0, 60 and 120 minutes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) harvested from these samples were incubated for 24 hours in tissue culture medium. In addition, 0.5ml samples of dialysate were collected at 0, 60 and 120 minutes and incubated with PBMC from the same donor for 24 hours. After 24 hour incubation, total cell-associated IL-1Ra and IL-1β were measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Paired experiments were performed with eight high-flux synthetic membranes (polyamide) and eight low-flux cellulose membranes (hemophan). Cytokine production is expressed as pg/2.5 million PBMC. During the mandatory ultrafiltration phase of the experiment (first hour), the production of IL-1Ra by PBMC from the blood compartment rose from 515 ± 118 to 785 ± 209 with polyamide membranes, and from 1175 ± 365 to 3865 ± 1847 with hemophan membranes, suggesting diffusive transport of bacterial products across the membrane. In contrast, at the end of the backfiltration phase (second hour), there was no further rise in the production of IL-1Ra by PBMC from the blood compartment (702 ± 123 with polyamide, and 2284 ± 886 with hemophan). The production of IL-1Ra by PBMC harvested from the blood compartment of polyamide membranes at 0, 60 and 120 minutes was lower than that with hemophan membranes (P = 0.01). In contrast to IL-1Ra, the production of IL-1β by PBMC harvested from the blood compartment with both membranes was uniformly low. The results of this study demonstrate the diffusive transfer of bacterial products across dialysis membranes. Therefore, any condition that increases diffusive transport such as dialyzers with large surface areas and high blood and dialysate flow rates could potentially increase the reverse transfer of bacterial products from the dialysate. This risk is not greater for synthetic high-flux membranes such as polyamide. Further, IL-1β is a less sensitive indicator than IL-1Ra of the transmembrane passage of cytokine-inducing substances from the dialysate to blood compartment

Hepatoprotection of mentha aquatica L., lavandula dentata L. and leonurus cardiaca L.

The phenolic composition of hydroethanolic extracts of Mentha aquatica L., Lavandula dentata L. and Leonurus cardiaca L., obtained from plants grown under organic cultivation, was determined and their hepatoprotective effects were investigated in vitro . L. cardiaca extract was rich in phenylethenoid glycosides, especially lavandolifolioside (254 ± 36 μg/mg), whereas rosmarinic acid and eriodictyol-O-rutinoside were the major phenolic compounds of L. dentata and M. aquatica extracts, accounting for 68 ± 7 μg/mg and 145 ± 22 μg/mg, respectively. These differential phenolic components presumably account for their dissimilar antioxidant properties. While L. cardiaca extract showed moderate biological effects, M. aquatica extract displayed high antioxidant activity in chemical models, and that of L. dentata was effective in counteracting potassium dichromate-induced ROS generation in human hepatocarcinoma cells. Moreover, M. aquatica extract (50 μg/mL) and its mixture (50%/50%) with L. dentata extract displayed an effective cytoprotective effect.Aveiro and FCT/MCT financed the QOPNA research Unit (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2019) through national funds and, where applicable, co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, to the Portuguese NMR Network and to the Portuguese Mass Spectrometry Network (RNEM, LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-402-022125). This study was supported in part by the CIBERehd (EHD15PI05/2016) and Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (PI16/00598, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund, “Investing in your future”); Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (SAF2016-75197-R); Junta de Castilla y Leon (SA063P17); AECCScientific Foundation (2017/2020), Spain; and “Centro Internacional sobre el Envejecimiento” (OLD-HEPAMARKER, 0348_CIE_6_E), Spain. Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000001) funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020, financed the research contract of Susana M. Cardoso.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Protective effects of phenolic constituents from Cytisus multiflorus, Lamium album L. and Thymus citriodorus on liver cells

The present study investigated the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of purified ethanolic extracts of Cytisus multiflorus, Lamium album L. and Thymus citriodorus plants. These extracts showed high antioxidant activity in DPPH and reducing power assays. Using a model of chemical stress induced by potassium dichromate (DK) in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells, 50 ug/mL of C. multiflorus, L. album and T. citriodorus extracts decreased the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by 35%, 26% and 20%, respectively, when exposed to 25 mu M of DK. This effect was also observed for the treatment of cells with individual polyphenolic compounds determined in the extracts, or with mixtures prepared with individual polyphenolic compounds simulating the phenolic composition of the extracts. Additionally, the purified ethanolic extracts and the prepared polyphenolic mixtures showed a cytoprotective effect against DK-induced toxicity. The overall results emphasize the contribution of polyphenols in antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of the studied plants

Chronic kidney disease: The distribution of health care dollars

Chronic kidney disease: The distribution of health care dollars.BackgroundThe cost of care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is known to be high. The factors responsible for higher ESRD cost develop during chronic kidney disease (CKD), where the data on distribution of cost are limited.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study of 1995 through 1998 incident dialysis patients was performed to study the distribution of costs during the 24 months prior to initiation of dialysis. Patient data were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Patients who were Medicare eligible for at least 2 years prior to initiation of dialysis were included in the study. Financial data were obtained from Medicare Part A and Part B claims and inflationary adjustments were made. The study period was divided into four segments based on overall distribution of cost.ResultsThe mean age was 75 years, 51% were males, 73% were white, and 22% were black. Overall, patient comorbidity increased significantly during the study years. Cost showed a sharp increase in the last 6 months prior to initiation of dialysis. Hospitalization was the major component of cost throughout study period. Patients who initiated hemodialysis incurred a higher cost compared to patients who initiated other modes of kidney replacement therapy. Patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease incurred higher cost compared to those who had no diabetes or cardiovascular disease, respectively.ConclusionThese data showed that hospitalization was the major component of the sharp increase in cost around the initiation of dialysis. Increased comorbidity was associated with higher cost. A focus on timely management of CKD may prevent future morbidity and costs

A Singular Conformal Spacetime

The infinite cosmological "constant" limit of the de Sitter solutions to Einstein's equation is studied. The corresponding spacetime is a singular, four-dimensional cone-space, transitive under proper conformal transformations, which constitutes a new example of maximally-symmetric spacetime. Grounded on its geometric and thermodynamic properties, some speculations are made in connection with the primordial universe.Comment: RevTeX4, 10 pages, 1 eps figure. Presentation changes, including a new title; section II.E, on the thermodynamic properties of the de Sitter horizon, completely revised. Version to be published in Journal of Geometry and Physic

Regularized expression for the gravitational energy-momentum in teleparallel gravity and the principle of equivalence

The expression of the gravitational energy-momentum defined in the context of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity is extended to an arbitrary set of real-valued tetrad fields, by adding a suitable reference space subtraction term. The characterization of tetrad fields as reference frames is addressed in the context of the Kerr space-time. It is also pointed out that Einstein's version of the principle of equivalence does not preclude the existence of a definition for the gravitational energy-momentum density.Comment: 17 pages, Latex file, no figure; minor correction in eq. (14), three references added, to appear in the GRG Journa