828 research outputs found

    Well-posedness for generalized mixed vector variational-like inequality problems in Banach space

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    In this article, we focus to study about well-posedness of a generalized mixed vector variational-like inequality and optimization problems with aforesaid inequality as constraint. We establish the metric characterization of well-posedness in terms of approximate solution set.Thereafter, we prove the sufficient conditions of generalized well-posedness by assuming the boundedness of approximate solution set. We also prove that the well-posedness of considered optimization problems is closely related to that of generalized mixed vector variational-like inequality problems. Moreover, we present some examples to investigate the results established in this paper

    Well-posedness for generalized mixed vector variational-like inequality problems in Banach space

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    In this article, we focus to study about well-posedness of a generalized mixed vector variational-like inequality and optimization problems with aforesaid inequality as constraint. We establish the metric characterization of well-posedness in terms of approximate solution set.Thereafter, we prove the sufficient conditions of generalized well-posedness by assuming the boundedness of approximate solution set. We also prove that the well-posedness of considered optimization problems is closely related to that of generalized mixed vector variational-like inequality problems. Moreover, we present some examples to investigate the results established in this paper

    Education through practice: an overview of the diploma in elementary education course

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    The Diploma in Elementary Education course is a two-year course devised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to provide an opportunity of skill enhancement and honing the level of expertise to the students enrolled. The course was designed in such a way so as to keep it at par with the level of training imparted through the regular course. Even with a different course structure, the diploma students were provided a training which rendered their skills equivalent to those enrolled in a regular course. The trainees were required to attend classes once a week, either on a Saturday or a Sunday, where they were involved in teaching in a school as part of the course. The trainees were therefore not only coached and their skills upgraded, but were also provided with an opportunity to get practical experience. A balanced synthesis of instructions, trainings and much-needed practical participation enabled the trainees to hone their talents and become well-qualified instructors, both technically and practically

    Surgical outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients of locally advanced carcinoma of esophagus: A prospective cross-sectional comparative study

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    Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy + radiotherapy (NACT+RT) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been shown to improve survival in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma (EC). Comparative evaluation of NACT+RT versus NACT is ambiguous. Aims and Objectives: The current study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of NACT+RT versus NACT in locally advanced EC. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, patients with operable, non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the mid and lower esophagus (T3–T4a) were treated with NACT (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 plus carboplatin 5 Area under curve (AUC) every 3 weeks) or NACT+RT (NACT with 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks). Response, R0 resections, post-operative complications, and recurrence were comparatively evaluated. Results: Of 40 enrolled patients, 20 received NACT and 20 received NACT+RT. In the NACT arm, 50% of patients had a partial response and 20% had disease progression. In the NACT+RT arm, 10% of patients had disease progression whereas 25% of patients had complete pathological response. Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed in 60% of patients in the NACT arm, whereas in the NACT+RT arm, 80% of patients had three-stage esophagectomy. The average surgery duration was numerically greater for the NACT+RT arm; blood loss was also greater. Pulmonary complications and anastomotic leak rate were higher in NACT+RT arm whereas other complications such as hoarseness of voice, and wound dehiscence were higher in the NACT arm. Conclusion: NACT+RT had better partial and complete response rates and low recurrence rates versus NACT. Post-operative complications were higher in the NACT+RT, especially pulmonary complications and anastomotic leak. Further, large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy of NACT versus NACT+RT in EC

    Functional genomics reveals serine synthesis is essential in PHGDH-amplified breast cancer

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    Cancer cells adapt their metabolic processes to drive macromolecular biosynthesis for rapid cell growth and proliferation[superscript 1, 2]. RNA interference (RNAi)-based loss-of-function screening has proven powerful for the identification of new and interesting cancer targets, and recent studies have used this technology in vivo to identify novel tumour suppressor genes[superscript 3]. Here we developed a method for identifying novel cancer targets via negative-selection RNAi screening using a human breast cancer xenograft model at an orthotopic site in the mouse. Using this method, we screened a set of metabolic genes associated with aggressive breast cancer and stemness to identify those required for in vivo tumorigenesis. Among the genes identified, phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is in a genomic region of recurrent copy number gain in breast cancer and PHGDH protein levels are elevated in 70% of oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers. PHGDH catalyses the first step in the serine biosynthesis pathway, and breast cancer cells with high PHGDH expression have increased serine synthesis flux. Suppression of PHGDH in cell lines with elevated PHGDH expression, but not in those without, causes a strong decrease in cell proliferation and a reduction in serine synthesis. We find that PHGDH suppression does not affect intracellular serine levels, but causes a drop in the levels of α-ketoglutarate, another output of the pathway and a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediate. In cells with high PHGDH expression, the serine synthesis pathway contributes approximately 50% of the total anaplerotic flux of glutamine into the TCA cycle. These results reveal that certain breast cancers are dependent upon increased serine pathway flux caused by PHGDH overexpression and demonstrate the utility of in vivo negative-selection RNAi screens for finding potential anticancer targets.Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Fellowship)Life Sciences Research Foundation (Fellowship)W. M. Keck FoundationDavid H. Koch Cancer Research FundAlexander and Margaret Stewart TrustNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant CA103866

    Epidural Interventions in the Management of Chronic Spinal Pain: American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) Comprehensive Evidence-Based Guidelines.

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    BACKGROUND: Chronic spinal pain is the most prevalent chronic disease with employment of multiple modes of interventional techniques including epidural interventions. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, systematic reviews, and guidelines have been published. The recent review of the utilization patterns and expenditures show that there has been a decline in utilization of epidural injections with decrease in inflation adjusted costs from 2009 to 2018. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) published guidelines for interventional techniques in 2013, and guidelines for facet joint interventions in 2020. Consequently, these guidelines have been prepared to update previously existing guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence-based guidance in performing therapeutic epidural procedures, including caudal, interlaminar in lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spinal regions, transforaminal in lumbar spine, and percutaneous adhesiolysis in the lumbar spine. METHODS: The methodology utilized included the development of objective and key questions with utilization of trustworthy standards. The literature pertaining to all aspects of epidural interventions was viewed with best evidence synthesis of available literature and recommendations were provided. RESULTS: In preparation of the guidelines, extensive literature review was performed. In addition to review of multiple manuscripts in reference to utilization, expenditures, anatomical and pathophysiological considerations, pharmacological and harmful effects of drugs and procedures, for evidence synthesis we have included 47 systematic reviews and 43 RCTs covering all epidural interventions to meet the objectives.The evidence recommendations are as follows: Disc herniation: Based on relevant, high-quality fluoroscopically guided epidural injections, with or without steroids, and results of previous systematic reviews, the evidence is Level I for caudal epidural injections, lumbar interlaminar epidural injections, lumbar transforaminal epidural injections, and cervical interlaminar epidural injections with strong recommendation for long-term effectiveness.The evidence for percutaneous adhesiolysis in managing disc herniation based on one high-quality, placebo-controlled RCT is Level II with moderate to strong recommendation for long-term improvement in patients nonresponsive to conservative management and fluoroscopically guided epidural injections. For thoracic disc herniation, based on one relevant, high-quality RCT of thoracic epidural with fluoroscopic guidance, with or without steroids, the evidence is Level II with moderate to strong recommendation for long-term effectiveness.Spinal stenosis: The evidence based on one high-quality RCT in each category the evidence is Level III to II for fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural injections with moderate to strong recommendation and Level II for fluoroscopically guided lumbar and cervical interlaminar epidural injections with moderate to strong recommendation for long-term effectiveness.The evidence for lumbar transforaminal epidural injections is Level IV to III with moderate recommendation with fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural injections for long-term improvement. The evidence for percutaneous adhesiolysis in lumbar stenosis based on relevant, moderate to high quality RCTs, observational studies, and systematic reviews is Level II with moderate to strong recommendation for long-term improvement after failure of conservative management and fluoroscopically guided epidural injections. Axial discogenic pain: The evidence for axial discogenic pain without facet joint pain or sacroiliac joint pain in the lumbar and cervical spine with fluoroscopically guided caudal, lumbar and cervical interlaminar epidural injections, based on one relevant high quality RCT in each category is Level II with moderate to strong recommendation for long-term improvement, with or without steroids. Post-surgery syndrome: The evidence for lumbar and cervical post-surgery syndrome based on one relevant, high-quality RCT with fluoroscopic guidance for caudal and cervical interlaminar epidural injections, with or without steroids, is Level II with moderate to strong recommendation for long-term improvement. For percutaneous adhesiolysis, based on multiple moderate to high-quality RCTs and systematic reviews, the evidence is Level I with strong recommendation for long-term improvement after failure of conservative management and fluoroscopically guided epidural injections. LIMITATIONS: The limitations of these guidelines include a continued paucity of high-quality studies for some techniques and various conditions including spinal stenosis, post-surgery syndrome, and discogenic pain. CONCLUSIONS: These epidural intervention guidelines including percutaneous adhesiolysis were prepared with a comprehensive review of the literature with methodologic quality assessment and determination of level of evidence with strength of recommendations

    Approaches in biotechnological applications of natural polymers

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    Natural polymers, such as gums and mucilage, are biocompatible, cheap, easily available and non-toxic materials of native origin. These polymers are increasingly preferred over synthetic materials for industrial applications due to their intrinsic properties, as well as they are considered alternative sources of raw materials since they present characteristics of sustainability, biodegradability and biosafety. As definition, gums and mucilages are polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates consisting of one or more monosaccharides or their derivatives linked in bewildering variety of linkages and structures. Natural gums are considered polysaccharides naturally occurring in varieties of plant seeds and exudates, tree or shrub exudates, seaweed extracts, fungi, bacteria, and animal sources. Water-soluble gums, also known as hydrocolloids, are considered exudates and are pathological products; therefore, they do not form a part of cell wall. On the other hand, mucilages are part of cell and physiological products. It is important to highlight that gums represent the largest amounts of polymer materials derived from plants. Gums have enormously large and broad applications in both food and non-food industries, being commonly used as thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspending, stabilizing agents and matrices for drug release in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the food industry, their gelling properties and the ability to mold edible films and coatings are extensively studied. The use of gums depends on the intrinsic properties that they provide, often at costs below those of synthetic polymers. For upgrading the value of gums, they are being processed into various forms, including the most recent nanomaterials, for various biotechnological applications. Thus, the main natural polymers including galactomannans, cellulose, chitin, agar, carrageenan, alginate, cashew gum, pectin and starch, in addition to the current researches about them are reviewed in this article.. }To the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientfíico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for fellowships (LCBBC and MGCC) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nvíel Superior (CAPES) (PBSA). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) (JAT)

    Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

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    Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis
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