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This paper presents a new approach for solving FFLP problems using a double parametric form (DPF), which is critical in decision-making scenarios characterized by uncertainty and imprecision. Traditional linear programming methods often fall short in handling the inherent vagueness in real-world problems. To address this gap, an innovative method has been proposed which incorporates fuzzy logic to model the uncertain parameters as TFNs, allowing for a more realistic and flexible representation of the problem space. The proposed method stands out due to its integration of fuzzy arithmetic into the optimization process, enabling the handling of fuzzy constraints and objectives directly. Unlike conventional techniques that rely on crisp approximations or the defuzzification process, the proposed approach maintains the fuzziness throughout the computation, ensuring that the solutions retain their fuzzy characteristics and better reflect the uncertainties present in the input data. In summary, the proposed method has the ability to directly incorporate fuzzy parameters into the optimization framework, providing a more comprehensive solution to FFLP problems. The main findings of this study underscore the method’s effectiveness and its potential for broader application in various fields where decision-making under uncertainty is crucial.

[...]the significant variables identified by the regression model were considered as candidates for subsequent investigation and were to be confirmed through further analysis. From Online Table 1, which can be found in the PDF version of this article at asq.org/pub/sixsigma, it's clear that except for extra trees and AdaBoost regressor, all the models clearly isolated the same six controllable factors and the four noise factors as indicated by MLR. [...]the six identified controllable factors would be taken up for determining robust levels in the design phase to obtain increased torque consistently, keeping noise factors in their normal operating range. Design Typically, design of experiments is used for such purposes. [...]the study required reducing the sensitivity of the design to the four noise factors. [...]a special design layout arrangement was made for robust parameter design, and data were collected.

We agree with Cuellar et al.’s (2019) main premise that, for a research field to advance, scholars must be able to openly exchange ideas. For such an open exchange to exist, the contexts and methods that evaluate scholarly output must encourage this interchange. Cuellar at al. argue that the current process for evaluating scholarly output (which they call “counting articles in ranked venues” (CARV)) creates pressures that result in a distorted discourse that inhibits the field’s growth. In this article, we extend the conversation by adding clarifications, further insights, raising questions, and providing different solutions. Specifically, for the sake of logical clarity of the ensuing debate, we separate individual research contribution (IRC) and field research discourse (FRD). We explain and clarify the pairwise relationships between CARV and IRC and between CARV and FRD in order to discuss the role of CARV or lack thereof in assessing research contribution and discourse. We posit that CARV may assess IRC but not FRD and offer insights into how to improve IRC and FRD. We provide anecdotal evidence that a CARV-free world could exist but that it would entail high agency cost. We also offer an alternative solution that could supplement or substitute CARV. We conclude that any attempt to measure IRC without adequately incorporating attributes of FRD habitat is destined to be flawed.

Background: Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors have a different histological spectrum as compared to adults with the infantile group having even more varied and distinct histological profiles. Intra-operative diagnosis is especially important as it guides the neurosurgeon to tailor an approach which is best suited for a particular case. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of frozen section (FS) and squash cytology and to find out the degree of correlation (kappa value) between the two procedures. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 55 pediatric patients with clinicoradiologically diagnosed CNS lesions for a period of 2.5 years. Intra-operative squash smears and FS were made and stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Diagnosis made subsequently on paraffin embedded sections was taken as the gold standard. Results: Although the specificity (90%) and positive predictive value (96%) were comparable between the two procedures, sensitivity (91.4%) and negative predictive value (75%) of FS was more as compared to squash cytology. Both the diagnostic modalities showed substantial agreement (k = 0.728). Conclusion: Even though the histological spectrum of pediatric CNS tumors is more varied than adults, FS gives a reasonable intra-operative diagnosis and better results when compared to squash alone.

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a valid therapeutic target in a wide range of malignancies. We focus here on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a lethal malignancy of the central nervous system (CNS). By analyzing RNA-sequencing based transcriptomics data on 149 clinical cases of TCGA-GBM database we show here a strong correlation (r = 0.7) between GLI1 and PTCH1 mRNA expression--as a hallmark of the canonical Hh-pathway activity in this malignancy. GLI1 mRNA expression varied in 3 orders of magnitude among the GBM patients of the same cohort showing a single continuous distribution-unlike the discrete high/low-GLI1 mRNA expressing clusters of medulloblastoma (MB). When compared with MB as a reference, the median GLI1 mRNA expression in GBM appeared 14.8 fold lower than that of the \"high-Hh\" cluster of MB but 5.6 fold higher than that of the \"low-Hh\" cluster of MB. Next, we demonstrated statistically significant up- and down-regulation of GLI1 mRNA expressions in GBM patient-derived low-passage neurospheres in vitro by sonic hedgehog ligand-enriched conditioned media (shh-CM) and by Hh-inhibitor drug vismodegib respectively. We also showed clinically achievable dose (50 μM) of vismodegib alone to be sufficient to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in these low-passage GBM neurospheres in vitro. Vismodegib showed an effect on the neurospheres, both by down-regulating GLI1 mRNA expression and by inducing apoptosis/cell cycle arrest, irrespective of their relative endogenous levels of GLI1 mRNA expression. We conclude from our study that this single continuous distribution pattern of GLI1 mRNA expression technically puts almost all GBM patients in a single group rather than discrete high- or low-clusters in terms of Hh-pathway activity. That is suggestive of therapies with Hh-pathway inhibitor drugs in this malignancy without a need for further stratification of patients on the basis of relative levels of Hh-pathway activity among them.

Indian post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a low-frequency (5–10%) dermal sequela of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani; importantly, affected individuals are speculated to be parasite reservoirs. Insight into its immunopathogenesis could translate into rational immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches against leishmaniases. In patients with PKDL (n=21), peripheral lymphocytes were analyzed for surface markers, intracellular cytokines, and lymphoproliferative responses using flow cytometry. In lesional tissue biopsies (n=12), expression of counter-regulatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10) and the T-regulatory transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) was analyzed using reverse transcriptase-PCR, along with immunohistochemical detection (n=8) of CD3 and Foxp3 positivity. In patients with PKDL, circulating CD8+CD28− and antigen-induced IL-10+CD3+ lymphocytes were increased and receded with treatment. CD8+ lymphocytes showed impaired proliferative responses to L. donovani antigen (LDA) and phytohemagglutinin, which were reinstated after treatment. At presentation, the upregulated lesional IFN-γ and IL-10 messenger RNA (mRNA), Foxp3 mRNA, and protein were curtailed after treatment. In Indian patients with PKDL, increased frequency of the CD8+CD28− phenotype, enhanced antigen-specific IL-10 production, and accompanying anergy of circulating lymphocytes suggest their regulatory nature. Furthermore, the concomitantly elevated lesional expression of Foxp3 suggests their possible recruitment into the lesional site, which would sustain disease pathology.

Context: Papular pruritic eruptions (PPEs) are a commonly seen dermatological manifestation in children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) stage 2 disease, whereas recurrent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (>2 episodes in 6 months) is the most common presenting illness in this category. Papular pruritic eruptions has been associated with progressive HIV disease in adults though it is categorized in early stage. Aim: To evaluate PPE as a clinical marker for progressive pediatric HIV. Setting and Design: In Pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic, Medical College, Kolkata, a prospective longitudinal hospital-based observational study was carried out. Materials and Methods: A total of 108 children in WHO stage 2 HIV disease aged between 2 and 12 years were selected, of which 58 had recurrent URTI without PPE and another 50 had PPE with or without secondary bacterial infection. Clinico-immunological deterioration was compared between the groups in terms of progression to undernutrition, WHO clinical stage 4 disease, severe immunodeficiency, need for initiation of Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) and mortality over a period of 2 years. Statistical Analysis: SPSS statistical software version 10 was used. P value, relative risk (RR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI), sensitivity and specificity was estimated. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Significantly higher incidence (P < 0.001) of clinico-immunological progression of disease at a significantly shorter time period (P < 0.05) was found in those with PPE in comparison to those without PPE. Papular pruritic eruption has high sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value as a clinical marker for severe immunodeficiency. Conclusion: Papular pruritic eruption could be a useful clinical marker of progressive HIV disease in children.

We investigate the dynamics of two-photon correlations generated by the interaction of a three-level atom in the \\(\\Xi\\), \\(\\Lambda\\) or V configuration, with two classical external driving fields, under the rotating-wave approximation, in the presence of level decays. Using the example of a rubidium atom in each configuration, with field strengths validating the single-photon approximation, we compute measurement based correlations, such as measurement induced disturbance (MID), quantum discord (QD), and quantum work deficit (WD), and compare the results with that of quantum entanglement (concurrence). Certain correlation properties observed are generic, model independent and consistent with known results, e.g., MID is an upper bound on QD, QD and WD are monotonic, and the generic correlation behavior is strongly affected by the purity of the photon states. We observe that the qualitative hierarchy, monotonicity and steady-state behavior of the correlations can be controlled by the choice of parameters such as atomic decay constants and external driving field strengths. We point out how particular configurations are better suited at generating monotonic correlations in specific regimes and how the steady-state correlation behavior and hierarchy are affected by the population dynamics of the density matrix for different parameters. The possibility of using well studied quantum optical systems such as the three-level atom to generate, characterize and parametrically control mixed state quantum correlations establishes an important step in the direction of their implementation in quantum information tasks.