Picture Fuzzy Knowledge Measure with Application to MADM

The complementary dual of entropy is termed “knowledge measure” in recent studies concerning fuzzy and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. A picture fuzzy set is an extended and generalized form of fuzzy and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. The broader perspective of the picture fuzzy set inculcated the possibility of the formulation of a picture fuzzy knowledge measure and its potential implications. In this paper, we set up an axiomatic framework for obtaining a complementary dual of the picture fuzzy entropy. Subsequently, we derive two new knowledge measures that strictly follow the axiomatic requirements. Some empirical investigations establish the advantages of our proposed knowledge measure over the existing measures. We also present a novel multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) algorithm, wherein the proposed knowledge measure computes attribute weights and exhibits encouraging performance. The comparative analysis shows the potential implications and advantages of the proposed measures

Synthesis, phase composition, Mossbauer and magnetic characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles

The present work describes the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of Fe-precursors in argon and vacuum environments with control over particle size distribution, phase composition and the resulting magnetic properties. The Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data revealed the crystallinity as well the single-phase of g-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared under vacuum, whereas the argon environment leads to the formation of multi-phase composition of g-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 (90%) and wustite (10%). Synchrotron X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) indicates that the predominant phase in both the samples is g-Fe2O3, which is subsequently verified from the Mo¨ssbauerspectra. DC magnetic measurements indicate behavior typical of a superparamagnetic system validated by Mo¨ssbauer analysis. However, further investigation of ac susceptibility by typical Ne´el?Arrhenius andVogel Fulcher magnetic models suggests an influence of interparticle interactions on the overall magnetic behavior of the system.Instituto de Física La Plat

Synthesis, phase composition, Mossbauer and magnetic characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles

The present work describes the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of Fe-precursors in argon and vacuum environments with control over particle size distribution, phase composition and the resulting magnetic properties. The Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data revealed the crystallinity as well the single-phase of g-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared under vacuum, whereas the argon environment leads to the formation of multi-phase composition of g-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 (90%) and wustite (10%). Synchrotron X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) indicates that the predominant phase in both the samples is g-Fe2O3, which is subsequently verified from the Mo¨ssbauerspectra. DC magnetic measurements indicate behavior typical of a superparamagnetic system validated by Mo¨ssbauer analysis. However, further investigation of ac susceptibility by typical Ne´el?Arrhenius andVogel Fulcher magnetic models suggests an influence of interparticle interactions on the overall magnetic behavior of the system.Instituto de Física La Plat

Cellular interaction of folic acid conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and its use as contrast agent for targeted magnetic imaging of tumor cells

The purpose of the study was to develop tumor specific, water dispersible superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and evaluate their efficacy as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We have developed SPIONs capped with citric acid/2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid which are compact, water dispersible, biocompatible having narrow range of size dispersity (8–10 nm), and relatively high T2 relaxivity (R2 = 222L · mmol−1 · sec−l). The targeting efficacy of unconjugated and folic acid-conjugated SPIONs (FA-SPIONS) was evaluated in a folic acid receptor overexpressing and negative tumor cell lines. Folic acid receptor-positive cells incubated with FA-SPIONs showed much higher intracellular iron content without any cytotoxicity. Ultrastructurally, SPIONs were seen as clustered inside the various stages of endocytic pathways without damaging cellular organelles and possible mechanism for their entry is via receptor mediated endocytosis. In vitro MRI studies on tumor cells showed better T2-weighted images in FA-SPIONs. These findings indicate that FA-SPIONs possess high colloidal stability with excellent sensitivity of imaging and can be a useful MRI contrast agent for the detection of cancer

A Brief Overview of Potential Treatments for Viral Diseases Using Natural Plant Compounds: The Case of SARS-Cov

Review paper, jointly written by experts from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (Iran), Federal University of Maranhão (Brazil), Central University of Punjab (India), Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity (Russia), De Montfort University (UK), University of Orléans (France) open access articleThe COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the more general global increase in viral diseases, has led researchers to look to the plant kingdom as a potential source for antiviral compounds. Since ancient times, herbal medicines have been extensively applied in the treatment and prevention of various infectious diseases in different traditional systems. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential antiviral activity of plant compounds as effective and reliable agents against viral infections, especially by viruses from the coronavirus group. Various antiviral mechanisms shown by crude plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds are discussed. The understanding of the action mechanisms of complex plant extract and isolated plant-derived compounds will help pave the way towards the combat of this life-threatening disease. Further, molecular docking studies, in silico analyses of extracted compounds, and future prospects are included. The in vitro production of antiviral chemical compounds from plants using molecular pharming is also considered. Notably, hairy root cultures represent a promising and sustainable way to obtain a range of biologically active compounds that may be applied in the development of novel antiviral agents

Engineering shape anisotropy of Fe3O4-¿-Fe2O3 hollow nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia

The use of microwave-assisted synthesis (in water) of a-Fe2O3 nanomaterials followed by their transformation onto iron oxide Fe3O4-¿-Fe2O3 hollow nanoparticles encoding well-defined sizes and shapes [nanorings (NRs) and nanotubes (NTs)] is henceforth described. The impact of experimental variables such as concentration of reactants, volume of solvent employed, and reaction times/temperatures during the shape-controlled synthesis revealed that the key factor that gated generation of morphologically diverse nanoparticles was associated to the initial concentration of phosphate anions employed in the reactant mixture. All the nanomaterials presented were fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The hollow nanoparticles that expressed the most promising magnetic responses, NTs and NRs, were further tested in terms of efficiencies in controlling the magnetic hyperthermia, in view of their possible use for biomedical applications, supported by their excellent viability as screened by in vitro cytotoxicity tests. These systems NTs and NRs expressed very good magneto-hyperthermia properties, results that were further validated by micromagnetic simulations. The observed specific absorption rate (SAR) and intrinsic loss power of the NRs and NTs peaked the values of 340 W/g and 2.45 nH m2 kg-1 (NRs) and 465 W/g and 3.3 nH m2 kg-1 (NTs), respectively, at the maximum clinical field 450 Oe and under a frequency of 107 kHz and are the highest values among those reported so far in the hollow iron-oxide family. The higher SAR in NTs accounts the importance of magnetic shape anisotropy, which is well-predicted by the modified dynamic hysteresis (ß-MDH) theoretical model

Management of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection:WHO guidelines for low tuberculosis burden countries

ABSTRACT Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is characterised by the presence of immune responses to previously acquired Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection without clinical evidence of active tuberculosis (TB). Here we report evidence-based guidelines from the World Health Organization for a public health approach to the management of LTBI in high risk individuals in countries with high or middle upper income and TB incidence of <100 per 100000 per year. The guidelines strongly recommend systematic testing and treatment of LTBI in people living with HIV, adult and child contacts of pulmonary TB cases, patients initiating anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment, patients receiving dialysis, patients preparing for organ or haematological transplantation, and patients with silicosis. In prisoners, healthcare workers, immigrants from high TB burden countries, homeless persons and illicit drug users, systematic testing an

Effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy on bone health and biomarkers of bone turnover in Indian patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background: We evaluated the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and biomarkers of bone turnover in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) agents. Methods: Fifty-one AS patients were screened, of which 27 were started on anti-TNF therapy in accordance to the assessment of AS guidelines. Detailed assessments of erythrocyte sedimentation ratio (ESR), Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS metrological index (BASMI), AS disease activity score-ESR, and AS quality of life (AsQOL) questionnaire were done at baseline and 6 months. Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and osteocalcin were measured along with BMD of the lumbar spine, anteroposterior (AP) and lateral view, and hip. Results: Out of 27 patients, 12 patients had osteoporosis. At 6 months, significant improvements were seen for BASDAI (mean 2.33 ± 1.08, P < 0.01), BASFI (3 ± 1.31, P < 0.01), BASMI (3 ± 3.05,P = 0.019), and AsQOL (4 ± 3.02, P < 0.01) and these correlated with a decrease in ESR (15.6 ± 10.8,P = 0.01) at 6 months. The mean increase in BMD at the neck of femur, total hip, and lumbar AP view was 3.2% (P = 0.007), 3.1% (P = 0.004), and 2.5% (P < 0.001), respectively. The serum alkaline phosphatase level increased from a mean value of 190.3 ± 70.8 IU/ml at baseline to 225.4 ± 59.8 IU/ml, which was statistically significant at the 6-month follow-up (P = 0.006). The serum osteocalcin levels showed an increasing trend from a mean value of 2.32 ± 1.6 ng/ml at baseline to 3.32 ± 3.02 ng/ml at 6 months. Conclusion: Anti-TNF-α has a beneficial effect on bone metabolism resulting in improved bone formation

Photoionization cross-section in a

Theoretical study on binding energies due to a centred charged impurity and the associated photoionization cross-section (PCS) in a spherical shell are presented. This was achieved by solving the Schrödinger equation within the effective mass approach. Intrinsic to the spherical quantum shell may be the parabolic potential or the shifted parabolic potential, each superimposed on an infinite spherical square well. Results indicate that the parabolic potential enhances binding energies while the shifted parabolic potential diminishes them. These electric potentials considerably modify photoionization cross section in two ways. One, the parabolic potential blueshifts peaks of PCS while the shifted parabolic potential redshifts the peaks. Second, the parabolic potential decreases the magnitude of the peaks of the PCS while the shifted parabolic potential increases the magnitudes of the peaks. In essence, these two potential may be used to manipulate PCS in quantum structures