Neutrosophic Linear Programming Problems

Smarandache presented neutrosophic theory as a tool for handling undetermined information. Wang et al. introduced a single valued neutrosophic set that is a special neutrosophic sets and can be used expediently to deal with real-world problems, especially in decision support. In this paper, we propose linear programming problems based on neutrosophic environment. Neutrosophic sets are characterized by three independent parameters, namely truth-membership degree (T), indeterminacy-membership degree (I) and falsity-membership degree (F), which are more capable to handle imprecise parameters. We also transform the neutrosophic linear programming problem into a crisp programming model by using neutrosophic set parameters. To measure the efficiency of our proposed model we solved several numerical examples

A Novel Smart Grid State Estimation Method Based on Neural Networks

The rapid development in smart grids needs efficient state estimation methods. This paper presents a novel method for smart grid state estimation (e.g., voltages, active and reactive power loss) using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The proposed method which is called SE-NN (state estimation using neural network) can evaluate the state at any point of smart grid systems considering fluctuated loads. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, it has been applied on IEEE 33-bus distribution system with different data resolutions. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated by comparing the results with an exact power flow method. The proposed SE-NN method is a very fast tool to estimate voltages and re/active power loss with a high accuracy compared to the traditional methods

Techno-Economics of Hybrid NF/FO with Thermal Desalination Plants

Hybrid desalination technology is defined as any combination of thermal and membrane processes in seawater desalination systems. So far, the two technologies have evolved rather independently with some degree of competition. Traditionally, in co-generation market applications, thermal desalination has succeeded in establishing a stronghold where large capacities are needed, energy costs are low, and seawater quality is challenging. However, in recent years, membrane systems have also succeeded in grabbing a larger share of the world seawater desalination market, mainly as a result of progress made in membrane and energy recovery technologies. Realizing the potential benefits and challenges faced by both technologies on their own, designers have been looking for ways to synergize and combine the two technologies in optimum configurations, which promise to further reduce the total cost of seawater desalination

Distinct cytokine patterns in Occult Hepatitis C and Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background & Aim: 
The immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a matter of great controversy. The imbalance of T-helper lymphocyte cell cytokine production was believed to play an important pathogenic role in chronic viral hepatitis. Occult hepatitis C infection is regarded as a new entity that should be considered when diagnosing patients with a liver disease of unknown origin. The aim of this study was to determine serum T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 cytokine production in patients with occult HCV infection and its role in pathogenesis versus chronic viral hepatitis C infection.

Methods: 
Serum levels of cytokines of T-helper 1 (IL-2, IFN-[gamma]) and T-helper 2 (IL-4) were measured in 27 patients with occult HCV infection and 50 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Results: 
The levels of the T-helper 1 cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-[gamma], were highly and significantly increased in patients with chronic HCV infection as compared with occult HCV infection (p<0.001). The T-helper 2 cytokine IL-4 was highly and significantly increased in occult HCV infection as compared with chronic HCV infection (p<0.001). Necroinflammation (P<0.001) fibrosis (P<0.001) and cirrhosis (P =0.03) were significantly increased in chronic HCV than occult HCV. 

Conclusion: 
Patients with occult HCV infection exhibited distinct immunoregulatory cytokine patterns, favoring viral persistence in the liver in spite of its absence from peripheral blood and explaining the less aggressive course of this disease entity than chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Neutrosophic Integer Programming Problem

In this paper, we introduce the integer programming in neutrosophic environment, by considering coffecients of problem as a triangulare neutrosophic numbers. The degrees of acceptance, indeterminacy and rejection of objectives are simultaneously considered. The Neutrosophic Integer Programming Problem (NIP) is transformed into a crisp programming model, using truth membership (T), indeterminacy membership (I), and falsity membership (F) functions as well as single valued triangular neutrosophic numbers. To measure the efficiency of the model, we solved several numerical examples

Moral Identity as Moderator in the Relationship between Machiavellian Leadership perception and Employees’ Opportunistic Behaviors

This paper aims to examine the nature of the relationship between Machiavellian leadership perception and employees’ opportunistic behaviors, with the moderating role of moral identity. The study was conducted over a two years period, in which, a simple random sample was used with 295 questionnaires distributed on the employees of different service industries in Bahrain. Descriptive analysis, Simple and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. The main results of the study indicate that there is a significant positive effect for Machiavellian leadership perception on employees’ opportunistic behaviors. They also indicate significant negative effects for both Internalization Moral Identity and Symbolization Moral Identity on employees’ opportunistic behaviors. Furthermore, the results show a partially moderating role for Internalization Moral Identity on the relationship between Machiavellian leadership perception and employees’ opportunistic behaviors. They also confirm a fully moderating role for Symbolization Moral Identity on the relationship between Machiavellian leadership perception and employees’ opportunistic behaviors

Flow Cytometry of Breast Cancer Resistant Protein and microRNA in Breast Cancer Patients Post Metformin Effect

The goal of the present study is to investigate the role of metformin (MF) as a target of miRNAs in breast cancer resistant protein (BCRP) inhibition in an attempt to develop treatment strategies that may improve the response of breast cancer (BC) patients to chemotherapy (CT). In order to fulfill this target, non-diabetic female subjects were categorized into three groups: control group (group 1) (n=5), CT group of BC patients (group 2) (n=25) and CT plus MF group of BC patients (group 3) (n=25). All patients were subjected to full history taking, laboratory studies including mammogram, chest X-ray, pelvic-abdominal ultrasound and isotopic bone scan, in addition to ER and PR states. CT group was treated with neoadjuvent CT in the form of 5-FU (500 mg/m2), Adriamycin (50 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2). Flow cytometry (FC) of BCRP and MiRNA was carried out on blood samples at every cycle of treatment for all partners. The results showed the presence of miRNA was higher than the presence of BCRP in the normal healthy control group. In most cases of CT and CT plus MF groups (group 2, 3) it was well noticed that the amount of BCRP in the blood samples exceeded that of miRNA illustrated the dysregulation of miRNA in BC patients and also to prove the basic role of BCRP as a multidrug resistance (MDR) for chemotherapeutic agents in patients with BC. It is concluded that the role of MF was well proved in targeting of miRNA to reinforce BC medication, so oncologists can be advised to use MF equivalent to CT in the recommended doses