scholarly journals Modeling of the Aorta: Complexities and Inadequacies

Aorta ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 091-097
Author(s):  
Kumbakonam R. Rajagopal ◽  
Keshava Rajagopal
Keyword(s):  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Reasonable Model ◽  
Complex Organ

AbstractThe aorta is a very complex organ comprising three layers, consisting of four kinds of tissues. It is an anisotropic, inhomogeneous, multiconstituent, and living organ that presents both a formidable challenge and a tremendous opportunity to a modeler to mathematically characterize its structure. Unfortunately, even the most sophisticated models in vogue do not faithfully take into consideration its various complexities, falling very short of putting into place a reasonable model, as they ignore many of the quintessential features that need to be taken into account. In this article, we address the various features that need to be taken into account to develop a meaningful model of the aorta.

Suicide on the Indian Subcontinent

Crisis ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murad M. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Causative Factors

Summary: The Indian subcontinent comprises eight countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives) and a collective population of more than 1.3 billion people. 10% of the world's suicides (more than 100,000 people) take place in just three of these countries, viz. India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. There is very little information on suicides from the other four countries. Some differences from suicides in Western countries include the high use of organophosphate insecticides, larger numbers of married women, fewer elderly subjects, and interpersonal relationship problems and life events as important causative factors. There is need for more and better information regarding suicide in the countries of the Indian subcontinent. In particular, studies must address culture-specific risk factors associated with suicide in these countries. The prevention of this important public health problem in an area of the world with myriad socio-economic problems, meager resources, and stigmatization of mental illness poses a formidable challenge to mental health professionals, policy makers, and governments of these countries.

Dissecting the Therapeutic Relevance of Gene Therapy in NeuroAIDS: An Evolving Epidemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-183
Author(s):  
Bushra Nabi ◽  
Saleha Rehman ◽  
Faheem Hyder Pottoo ◽  
Sanjula Baboota ◽  
Javed Ali
Keyword(s):  
Viral Entry ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Intrinsic Property ◽  
Antiretroviral Drugs ◽  
Viral Reservoir ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Cellular Delivery ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
The Brain

: NeuroAIDS, a disease incorporating both infectious and neurodegenerative pathways, is still a formidable challenge for the researchers to deal with. The primary concern for the treatment of neuroAIDS still remains the inaccessibility of the viral reservoir, making it indispensable for novel techniques to be continuously innovated. Since the brain serves as a reservoir for viral replication, it is pragmatic and a prerequisite to overcome the related barriers in order to improve the drug delivery to the brain. The current treatment ideology is based on the combinatorial approach of a mocktail of antiretroviral drugs. However, complete eradication of the disease could not be achieved. Thereby the arena of gene-based cellular delivery is trending and has created a niche for itself in the present scenario. To establish the supremacy of gene delivery, it is advisable to have a better understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in the due process. The mechanism associated with the activity of the anti-HIV gene lies in their intrinsic property to impart resistance to the HIV infection by targeting the viral entry channels. This review principally emphasizes on different types of gene therapies explored so far for the management of AIDS and its associated neurological conditions. Therefore it could rightly be said that we are at the crossroad where the need of the hour is to develop novel strategies for curbing AIDS and its associated neurological conditions.

Some Explicit Results for the Mean Spherical Approximation for Mixtures of Yukawa Fluids

2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Henderson ◽  
Osvaldo H. Scalise
Keyword(s):  
Integral Equation ◽  
Spherical Approximation ◽  
Mean Spherical Approximation ◽  
Inverse Temperature ◽  
Temperature Expansion ◽  
Yukawa Fluid ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Full Solution ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Reasonable Model

The mean spherical approximation (MSA) is of interest because it produces an integral equation that yields useful analytical results for a number of fluids. One such case is the Yukawa fluid, which is a reasonable model for a simple fluid. The original MSA solution for this fluid, due to Waisman, is analytic but not explicit. Ginoza has simplified this solution. However, Ginoza's result is not quite explicit. Some years ago, Henderson, Blum, and Noworyta obtained explicit results for the thermodynamic functions of a single-component Yukawa fluid that have proven useful. They expanded Ginoza's result in an inverse-temperature expansion. Even when this expansion is truncated at fifth, or even lower, order, this expansion is nearly as accurate as the full solution and provides insight into the form of the higher-order coefficients in this expansion. In this paper Ginoza's implicit result for the case of a rather special mixture of Yukawa fluids is considered. Explicit results are obtained, again using an inverse-temperature expansion. Numerical results are given for the coefficients in this expansion. Some thoughts concerning the generalization of these results to a general mixture of Yukawa fluids are presented.

scholarly journals Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Insights into Its Pathobiology and Molecular Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1214
Author(s):  
Ji Tu ◽  
Jose Vargas Castillo ◽  
Abhirup Das ◽  
Ashish D. Diwan
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), earlier referred to as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), is the most common and serious neurological disorder in the elderly population caused by chronic progressive compression or irritation of the spinal cord in the neck. The clinical features of DCM include localised neck pain and functional impairment of motor function in the arms, fingers and hands. If left untreated, this can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. Despite recent advancements in understanding the DCM pathology, prognosis remains poor and little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Moreover, there is scant evidence for the best treatment suitable for DCM patients. Decompressive surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment for this pathology, although the decision of when to perform such a procedure remains challenging. Given the fact that the aged population in the world is continuously increasing, DCM is posing a formidable challenge that needs urgent attention. Here, in this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of DCM pathology, including epidemiology, diagnosis, natural history, pathophysiology, risk factors, molecular features and treatment options. In addition to describing different scoring and classification systems used by clinicians in diagnosing DCM, we also highlight how advanced imaging techniques are being used to study the disease process. Last but not the least, we discuss several molecular underpinnings of DCM aetiology, including the cells involved and the pathways and molecules that are hallmarks of this disease.

scholarly journals Quantum Physics Literacy Aimed at K12 and the General Public

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Caterina Foti ◽  
Daria Anttila ◽  
Sabrina Maniscalco ◽  
Maria Luisa Chiofalo
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Change ◽  
General Public ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Physics Teaching ◽  
Physics Students ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Quantum Phenomena ◽  
Smart Community ◽  
Quantum Science

Educating K12 students and general public in quantum physics represents an evitable must no longer since quantum technologies are going to revolutionize our lives. Quantum literacy is a formidable challenge and an extraordinary opportunity for a massive cultural uplift, where citizens learn how to engender creativity and practice a new way of thinking, essential for smart community building. Scientific thinking hinges on analyzing facts and creating understanding, and it is then formulated with the dense mathematical language for later fact checking. Within classical physics, learners’ intuition may in principle be educated via classroom demonstrations of everyday-life phenomena. Their understanding can even be framed with the mathematics suited to their instruction degree. For quantum physics, on the contrary, we have no experience of quantum phenomena and the required mathematics is beyond non-expert reach. Therefore, educating intuition needs imagination. Without rooting to experiments and some degree of formal framing, educators face the risk to provide only evanescent tales, often misled, while resorting to familiar analogies. Here, we report on the realization of QPlayLearn, an online platform conceived to explicitly address challenges and opportunities of massive quantum literacy. QPlayLearn’s mission is to provide multilevel education on quantum science and technologies to anyone, regardless of age and background. To this aim, innovative interactive tools enhance the learning process effectiveness, fun, and accessibility, while remaining grounded on scientific correctness. Examples are games for basic quantum physics teaching, on-purpose designed animations, and easy-to-understand explanations on terminology and concepts by global experts. As a strategy for massive cultural change, QPlayLearn offers diversified content for different target groups, from primary school all the way to university physics students. It is addressed also to companies wishing to understand the potential of the emergent quantum industry, journalists, and policymakers needing to seize what quantum technologies are about, as well as all quantum science enthusiasts.

scholarly journals A Streamlined Approach to Pathway Analysis from RNA-Sequencing Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Austin Bow
Keyword(s):  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Pathway Analysis ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Mapping Software ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Daunting Task ◽  
Software Platforms ◽  
Time Required

The reduction in costs associated with performing RNA-sequencing has driven an increase in the application of this analytical technique; however, restrictive factors associated with this tool have now shifted from budgetary constraints to time required for data processing. The sheer scale of the raw data produced can present a formidable challenge for researchers aiming to glean vital information about samples. Though many of the companies that perform RNA-sequencing provide a basic report for the submitted samples, this may not adequately capture particular pathways of interest for sample comparisons. To further assess these data, it can therefore be necessary to utilize various enrichment and mapping software platforms to highlight specific relations. With the wide array of these software platforms available, this can also present a daunting task. The methodology described herein aims to enable researchers new to handling RNA-sequencing data with a streamlined approach to pathway analysis. Additionally, the implemented software platforms are readily available and free to utilize, making this approach viable, even for restrictive budgets. The resulting tables and nodal networks will provide valuable insight into samples and can be used to generate high-quality graphics for publications and presentations.

scholarly journals Complexity Analysis of Escher’s Art

Entropy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
António M. Lopes ◽  
J. A. Tenreiro Machado
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Complexity Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Characterization ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Scaling Technique ◽  
Artistic Production ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Visualization Techniques

Art is the output of a complex system based on the human spirit and driven by several inputs that embed social, cultural, economic and technological aspects of a given epoch. A solid quantitative analysis of art poses considerable difficulties and reaching assertive conclusions is a formidable challenge. In this paper, we adopt complexity indices, dimensionality-reduction and visualization techniques for studying the evolution of Escher’s art. Grayscale versions of 457 artworks are analyzed by means of complexity indices and represented using the multidimensional scaling technique. The results are correlated with the distinct periods of Escher’s artistic production. The time evolution of the complexity and the emergent patterns demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach for a quantitative characterization of art.

scholarly journals Microbial Biofilms in the Food Industry—A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2014
Author(s):  
Conrado Carrascosa ◽  
Dele Raheem ◽  
Fernando Ramos ◽  
Ariana Saraiva ◽  
António Raposo
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Surface Adhesion ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Electrostatic Charging ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Intercellular Signalling ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix

Biofilms, present as microorganisms and surviving on surfaces, can increase food cross-contamination, leading to changes in the food industry’s cleaning and disinfection dynamics. Biofilm is an association of microorganisms that is irreversibly linked with a surface, contained in an extracellular polymeric substance matrix, which poses a formidable challenge for food industries. To avoid biofilms from forming, and to eliminate them from reversible attachment and irreversible stages, where attached microorganisms improve surface adhesion, a strong disinfectant is required to eliminate bacterial attachments. This review paper tackles biofilm problems from all perspectives, including biofilm-forming pathogens in the food industry, disinfectant resistance of biofilm, and identification methods. As biofilms are largely responsible for food spoilage and outbreaks, they are also considered responsible for damage to food processing equipment. Hence the need to gain good knowledge about all of the factors favouring their development or growth, such as the attachment surface, food matrix components, environmental conditions, the bacterial cells involved, and electrostatic charging of surfaces. Overall, this review study shows the real threat of biofilms in the food industry due to the resistance of disinfectants and the mechanisms developed for their survival, including the intercellular signalling system, the cyclic nucleotide second messenger, and biofilm-associated proteins.

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